Question

differentiate between types of fatty acids according to chain length,saturation,location of double bond, and whether they are essential or nonessential

Answer 1

Fatty acids are carboxylic acids that contain an aliphatic chain.

On the basis of length of chain, fatty acids can be divided into long, medium and short chain. Short chain consists of 5 or less than 5 carbon atoms in tge aliphatic chain. Medium chain contains 6-12 carbon atoms in aliphatic chain. Long chain contains 13-21 carbon atoms. Aliphatic chain of more than 22 carbon atoms is considered very long chain.
On the basis of saturation, fatty acids can be classified as saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fatty acids does not contain any double bond. Non saturated fatty acids contains one or more double bond. Unsaturated fatty acid are further divided into mono unsaturated and poly unsaturated fatty acids.
On the basis of location of double bond, fatty acids can be classified as omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. When the double bond is located three atoms away from terminal methyl group in aliphatic chain, they are omega 3 fatty acid. In omega 6 fatty acid double bond is situated 6 atoms away from terminal methyl group.
Fatty acids can also be classified as essential and non essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesised by the body and needs to be derived from other food sources. Non essential fatty acids can be synthesised in the body.