Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
Fatty acids are long-chain hydrocarbons with a carboxylic acid group at one end, essential components of lipids such as waxes, fats, and oils. They can be saturated or unsaturated based on the presence of double bonds between carbon atoms.
Saturated Fats: These are fats that contain only saturated fatty acids, known for being solid at room temperature.
Unsaturated Fats: Fats that include one or more unsaturated fatty acids, which are liquid at room temperature due to kinks in their structure from double bonds.