Tag: Saturated fat structure

Over half of the fatty acid residues in plant and animal lipids are unsaturated. Knowing how saturated and unsaturated fatty acids compare in terms of their structures is key to understanding why they have different physical properties and health effects. The fundamental difference lies in the presence or absence of double bonds within their hydrocarbon chains.

Did you know the straight, uniform shape of a saturated fat chain is the primary reason why fats like butter and lard are solid at room temperature? A saturated fat chain looks like a linear molecule, completely filled or 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, with no double bonds in its carbon backbone.