Fats

Fats

Are constructed from two types of smaller

molecules, a single glycerol and usually
three fatty acids
H
H

O
OH

OH

OH

HO

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

H
C
H

Fatty acid
(palmitic acid)

Glycerol
(a) Dehydration reaction in the synthesis of a fat
Ester linkage
O

H
H

H
C
H

O
H

O
H

C
H

Figure 5.11

H
C
H

H
C

H
C

H
C

H
C

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C

H
C

H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

(b) Fat molecule (triacylglycerol)

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H

C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C
H
H
C
H
H
C
H

H
C

H
H
C

H
H
C
H

H
C
H

 Saturated fatty acids

Have the maximum number of hydrogen
atoms possible
Have no double bonds

Stearic acid

(a) Saturated fat and fatty acid

Figure 5.12

 Unsaturated fatty acids

Have one or more double bonds

Oleic acid

Figure 5.12(b) Unsaturated fat and fatty acid

cis double bond

causes bending