Fatty Acids – Definition and Meaning
Fatty Acids Definition: Fatty acid is an organic biomacromolecule comprising a hydrocarbon chain and a carboxyl group that is a fundamental building block of the living system.
Fatty acids are essential components of various physiological mechanisms of the body. They have varying length that ranges from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, and can have single or double bonds. The hydrocarbon chain of fatty acids ends with a carboxylic acid group. They are the fundamental building blocks of lipid molecules. Fatty acids are responsible for the maintenance and regulation of various cellular functions, synthesis of signalling molecules, hormone regulation, energy storage, inflammatory response, etc.
Overview on Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are organic compounds that fall under the category of lipids, which are essential biomacromolecules in the living system. The fatty acid types are saturated, unsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids play an important role in various physiological processes of the living organism, such as metabolism, formation, and maintenance of cell structure. In this article, we will study the structure, properties, function, and type of fatty acids in detail.
Table of Content
- Fatty Acids – Definition and Meaning
- Fatty Acids Formula
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Essential Fatty Acid Foods
- Properties of Fatty Acids
- Structure of Fatty Acids
- Types of Fatty Acids
- Length of Fatty Acids
- Circulation of Fatty Acids
- Fatty Acids Examples
- Functions of Fatty Acids