Fatty Acids & Triglycerides: Structure, Types, and Energy Storage
Classified in Chemistry
Written on in English with a size of 3.85 KB
Fatty Acid Classification: Saturated, Monounsaturated, and Polyunsaturated
Fatty acids are the main components of triglycerides and phospholipids. They are non-polar and therefore hydrophobic. Their chains consist of covalently bonded carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms.
Saturated fatty acids contain only single bonds, meaning they are "saturated" with hydrogen. Unsaturated fatty acids, conversely, contain one or more double bonds.
Saturated Fatty Acid | Monounsaturated Fatty Acid | Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid |
---|---|---|
Cis vs. Trans Unsaturated Fatty Acid Isomers
- If hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond, the isomer is cis (e.g., yellow H in diagrams). If hydrogens are on the opposite side of the double bond, the isomer is trans.
- Cis fatty acids have