Fatty acids and glycerol are essential building blocks of fats and other lipids found in our bodies and food. You might think that fatty acids are just fat or made of fat, but they are actually the building blocks of fats and other lipids like waxes. There are two types of fatty acids: saturated and unsaturated. Fatty acids have a carboxylic acid group, which means that they contain a carboxyl group with carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. This carboxylic acid group is what makes fatty acids acids.

Inheritance also plays a role in the types of fatty acids we have in our bodies. Some genes that make them more likely to have higher levels of certain types of fatty acids. This can have an impact on overall health, as certain types of fatty acids are associated with higher risks of heart disease and other health issues. Understanding the basics of fatty acids and inheritance can help us make informed choices about our diets and lifestyles.

The structure of fatty acids

Fatty acids are organic molecules that are used to lipids. They contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Fatty acids have a long, straight chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with a carboxyl acid group (―COOH) at one end and a methyl group at the other. The formula for a fatty acid is RCOOH, where R is the hydrocarbon chain, including the methyl group. Fatty acids can be either saturated or unsaturated, and the length of the hydrocarbon chain can vary from 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Because of the long chain, there are many carbon and hydrogen atoms but not as many oxygen atoms, which makes fatty acids hydrophobic.

The two types of fatty acids

There are two different types of fatty acids: saturated and unsaturated.

Saturated fatty acids

Saturated fatty acids are characterized by having only single bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. This means that each carbon atom is attached to as many hydrogen atoms as possible, making the acid "saturated" with hydrogen. Saturated fatty acids are commonly found in food and animal products, such as beef, lamb, butter, cream, and oils derived from plant sources like coconut and palm oil. Because of their straight hydrocarbon chain, molecules of saturated fatty acids can pack closely together, making them solid at room temperature. Palmitic acid is the most common saturated fatty acid.

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Unsaturated fatty acids

Unsaturated fatty acids differ from saturated fatty acids in that they have both single and double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. The presence of a double bond means that fewer hydrogen atoms can attach to the carbon atoms, making the fatty acid "unsaturated" with hydrogen.

Unsaturated fatty acids are typically found in plant-based oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. They are liquid at room temperature due to the presence of double bonds, which cause the molecule to bend and prevent the fatty acid molecules from packing together as closely as saturated fatty acids.

There are two types of unsaturated fatty acids: mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids have only one double bond between two carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Examples of foods high in mono-unsaturated fats include avocados, nuts, and olive oil. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids, on the other hand, have multiple double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Foods high in poly-unsaturated fats include fatty fish, flaxseeds, and chia seeds.

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Poly-unsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.

Essential fatty acids

and unsaturated fatty acids differ in their chemical structure and properties. Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain, while unsaturated fatty acids have both single and double bonds. The presence of double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids makes them liquid at room temperature, while saturated fatty acids are solid.

Saturated fatty acids are primarily found in animal products, while unsaturated fatty acids are found in plant-based oils and fatty fish. Both types of fatty acids are essential for our health, but unsaturated fatty acids are considered healthier because they can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.

Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are a specific type of unsaturated fatty acid that our body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained through our diet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining heart and brain health, and can be found in foods such as fish, seeds, and leafy vegetables.

Overall, understanding the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is important for maintaining a healthy diet and making informed choices about the types of fats we consume.

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Fatty Acids - Key takeaways Fatty acids are, along with glycerol, building blocks of lipids. Fatty acids consist of a long, straight chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with a carboxyl acid group (―COOH) at one end and a methyl group CH3 at the other. The simple formula is RCOOH, where R is the hydrocarbon chain. The R-group may be saturated or unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids have only single bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. These acids are solid at room temperature. A straight hydrocarbon chain allows for them to pack together closely. Unsaturated fatty acids have single bonds between carbon atoms but double bonds as well. They are liquid at room temperature due to the bend in the hydrocarbon chain caused by double bonds. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids have only one double bond between two carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds between carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain. Essential fatty acids are extremely important for our health, especially the heart and the brain, but they cannot be synthesised (made) by our body. Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and linoleic acid or LA are essential fatty acids. ALA is an omega-3, while LA is an omega-6 fatty acid.

Fatty Acids

What is the structure of a fatty acid?

Fatty acids consist of a long, straight chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with a carboxyl acid group (―COOH) at one end and a methyl group -CH3 at the other.

What are the three main types of fatty acids?

The three main types of fatty acids are saturated, mono-unsaturated, and poly-unsaturated.

What are fatty acids used for?

Fatty acids are used for the formation of lipids. They are building blocks of lipids, which are essential biological macromolecules. 

What are examples of fatty acids?

Palmitic acid (saturated), alpha-linolenic acid or ALA (omega-3) and linoleic acid or  LA (omega-6).

What are essential fatty acids?

Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids vital for our health, especially the heart and the brain, but they cannot be synthesised (made) by our body. Therefore, we need to consume food high in essential fats: fish and other seafood, hemp and pumpkin seeds, leafy vegetables, etc. In humans, there are two: alpha-linolenic acid or ALA and linoleic acid or LA. ALA is an omega-3, while LA is an omega-6 fatty acid. Two other omega-3 acids of great importance for our bodies are: eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA).

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