Fatty Acids

Definition

Fatty acids are carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. They serve as a source of energy and an important component of lipid molecules.

Analogy

Think of fatty acids like the individual cars on a train. Each one can function independently, but they can also link together to form larger structures (like lipids).

Related terms

Saturated Fats: These are fats that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. The term "saturated" refers to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom.

Unsaturated Fats: These are fats that contain one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.

Trans Fat: This is a type of dietary fat that's been linked to heart disease. It's created through an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid.