Fatty acids
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids (pronunciation: /ˈfæti ˈæsɪdz/) are carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains, which can be either saturated or unsaturated. The term "fatty acid" is derived from the Latin fattus, meaning "fat", and the Greek acidus, meaning "sour" or "sharp".
Etymology
The term "fatty acid" comes from the fact that these molecules are typically found in fats and oils. The "acid" part of the name refers to the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) that characterizes these molecules.
Types of Fatty Acids
Fatty acids can be categorized into three main types: Saturated fatty acids, Monounsaturated fatty acids, and Polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between the individual carbon atoms of the fatty acid chain. That is, the chain of carbon atoms is fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms. Examples include Palmitic acid and Stearic acid.
- Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond in the fatty acid chain with all of the remainder carbon atoms being single-bonded. Examples include Oleic acid and Palmitoleic acid.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids have more than one double bond in their backbone. Examples include Linoleic acid and Alpha-linolenic acid.
Functions of Fatty Acids
Fatty acids play several key roles in the body. They are an important source of fuel because, when metabolized, they yield large quantities of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They are also used in the synthesis of Phospholipids and Glycolipids, which are essential components of biological membranes.
Related Terms
- Lipid: A broad group of naturally occurring molecules which includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
- Triglyceride: An ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids.
- Ester: A class of organic compounds that react with water to produce alcohols and organic or inorganic acids.
- Carboxylic acid: Organic compounds that contain a carboxyl group.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fatty acids
- Wikipedia's article - Fatty acids
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