A fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain, which can be either saturated or unsaturated. These molecules are key components of lipids, such as fats and oils, playing crucial roles in biological structures and metabolic processes.
Related terms
Saturated Fat: A type of fat containing only single bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in maximum hydrogen saturation.
Unsaturated Fat: A fat molecule that contains at least one double bond within its fatty acid chains, reducing hydrogen atom saturation.
Triglyceride: A type of lipid molecule made up of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol backbone, serving as the main form of storage fat in animals