Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
These are types of fatty acids where all the carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain are connected by single bonds, meaning they're saturated with hydrogen atoms.
Related terms
Monounsaturated Fats: These are fats that have one double bond in the fatty acid chain and all of the remainder carbon atoms are single-bonded.
Trans Fats: These are a type of unsaturated fat that occur in small amounts in nature but became widely produced industrially for use in margarine, snack food, and packaged baked goods.
This is a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K), monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides.