In chemistry, particularly in biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long 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. Fatty acids consist of an Acid Group at one end of the molecule and a Hydrocarbon Chain, which is usually denoted by the letter ‘R’. The body is capable of synthesizing most of the fatty acids it needs from food. The most commonly occurring saturated fatty acids of the higher plants are palmitic acid (C 16) and stearic acid (C 18). Fatty acids are a defining feature of lipids. for distance learning. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English fatty acid ˌfatty ˈacid noun [countable] technical DFN an acid that the cells in your body need to use food effectively Fatty Acids Definition Fatty acids are comprised of hydrocarbon chains terminating with carboxylic acid groups.Fatty acids and their associated derivatives are the primary components of lipids.. Fatty acids with chain lengths of two to six carbon atoms. Study online fatty acid explanation with biology terms to prepare course for online degree programs. A fatty acid is a long hydrocarbon (alkyl) chain with an acidic head. The chain length of most common fatty acids is of 16-18 number of carbon. Fatty acid metabolism involves the absorption of free fatty acids by cells through fatty acid-binding proteins that transport fatty acids intracellularly from the plasma membrane. The triglyceride is considered as the common and simple type of fat, having three fatty acids and glyceride. The acidic head is more correctly known as a ‘carboxylic acid’ and has the chemical structure -COOH, the same structure that makes vinegar acidic. Fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated. The general formula is: Fatty Acid Structure. Fatty acid molecules are usually joined together in groups of three, forming a molecule called a triglyceride. A fatty acid has a long carbon skeleton, usually 16 or 18 carbon atoms in length. A fatty acid is saturated if every possible bond is made with a Hydrogen atom, such that there exist no C=C bonds. Fatty acids. A fatty acid can be saturated or unsaturated. Other major saturated fatty acids found in plant lipids are shown in table. Fatty Acids. fatty acid in Biology topic. Fatty acids are composed of carbon chains containing a methyl group at one end and a carboxyl group at the other. The circulatory system, respiratory system, integumentary system, immune system, brain, and other organs require fatty acids for proper function. Fatty acid Definition. Staturated and unstaturated fatty acids. During digestion, the body breaks down fats into fatty acids, which can then be absorbed into the blood. Moreover, while short-chain fatty acids are formed from various precursors by anaerobic micro-organisms, carbohydrates are the most common progenitors of short-chain fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids do not contain double bonds C-C (only single bonds), whereas unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds C=C. Nonessential and Essential Fatty Acids Fatty acids are vital for the normal operation of all body systems. A fatty acid is one of the major components of a triglyceride, which is a form of lipid that is used in the body to store energy. Fatty acids are the building blocks of the fat in our bodies and in the food we eat. Unsaturated Fatty Acids: Unsaturated fatty acids are those which contain one or more double bonds in their hydrocarbon chain. Fatty Acids. Fatty acid definition in biology with the explanation to review "What is Fatty acid?"