gen-define-saturated-versus-unsaturated-fats-and-give-one-short-1062

Define saturated versus unsaturated fats and give one short worked example.

# Saturated vs Unsaturated Fats ## Definitions **Saturated fats:** Fatty acids with **no double bonds** between carbon atoms. All carbons are "saturated" with hydrogen atoms (bonded to the maximum number of hydrogens possible). **Unsaturated fats:** Fatty acids with **one or more double bonds** between carbon atoms. These have fewer hydrogen atoms than the maximum possible. ## Worked Example **Stearic acid (saturated):** - Formula: CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH - 18 carbons, all single bonds - Structure: straight chain, can pack tightly - Solid at room temperature (found in animal fats) **Oleic acid (unsaturated):** - Formula: CH₃(CH₂)₇CH=CH(CH₂)₇COOH - 18 carbons, **one double bond** at position 9 - Structure: bent/kinked at double bond, cannot pack tightly - Liquid at room temperature (found in olive oil) **Key difference:** The double bond in oleic acid creates a kink in the chain, preventing tight packing and lowering the melting point. This is why unsaturated fats tend to be liquid oils while saturated fats are solid at room temperature.