What are body fatty acids?
Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in our bodies and in the food we eat. During digestion, the body breaks down fats into fatty acids, which can then be absorbed into the blood. Fatty acid molecules are usually joined together in groups of three, forming a molecule called a triglyceride.
What is the chemical composition of body fat?
The three most common fatty acids stored in human adipose tissues are oleate (C18H34O2), palmitate (C16H32O2), and linoleate (C18H32O2),1 2 which all esterify to form C55H104O6.
Which acid break down fat?
Lipase from the pancreas further digests fats into monoglycerides and fatty acids. Bile again grabs onto the fat to help move it to the tiny hair-like projections of the intestines.
Are fatty acids lipids?
Fatty acids are common components of complex lipids, and these differ according to chain length and the presence, number and position of double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain. Fatty acids and complex lipids exhibit a variety of structural variations that influence their metabolism and their functional effects.
What is fatty acid structure?
Generally, a fatty acid consists of a straight chain of an even number of carbon atoms, with hydrogen atoms along the length of the chain and at one end of the chain and a carboxyl group (―COOH) at the other end. A few fatty acids have branched chains; others contain ring structures (e.g., prostaglandins).
What do fatty acids do in the body?
Fatty acids are energy sources and membrane constituents. They have biological activities that act to influence cell and tissue metabolism, function, and responsiveness to hormonal and other signals.
Are fatty acids carboxylic acids?
In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with an aliphatic chain, which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have an unbranched chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28.
What are the 5 fatty acids?
5 Fats and Fatty Acids
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Short-Form Designation |
|---|---|---|
| α-Linolenic acid | 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid | C18:3 n-3,6,9 all cis |
| γ-Linolenic acid | 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid | C18:3 n-6,9,12 all cis |
| Arachidic acid | eicosanoic acid | C20:0 |
| Behenic acid | docosanoic acid | C22:0 |
What are the 20 fatty acids?
Well-Known Fatty Acids
| Name | Number of carbon atoms | Type of fatty acid |
|---|---|---|
| Oleic acid | 18 | Monounsaturated |
| Linoleic acid | 18 | Polyunsaturated |
| Linolenic acid | 18 | Polyunsaturated |
| Arachidonic acid | 20 | Polyunsaturated |
