What is Fatty acid?
[[File:Butanoic acid.svg|thumb|Butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid]] A '''fatty acid''' is a [[carboxylic acid]] (-C(=O)OH), with a long unbranched [[hydrocarbon]] tail. It is studied in [[organic chemistry]] and [[biochemistry]]. Fatty acids are important sources of body [[fuel]]. When [[metabolism|metabolized]], they yield large quantities of [[ATP]]. Many cell types can use either [[glucose]] or fatty acids for this purpose. In particular, [[heart]] and skeletal [[muscle]] prefer fatty acids. Fatty acids may be either [[saturated]] or [[unsaturated]]. Unsaturated compounds have reactive double [[valency|bonds]]; saturated ones do not. Fatty acids are aliphatic monocarboxylic acids derived from, or contained in, an animal or vegetable [[fat]], [[oil]], or [[wax]]. Natural fatty acids commonly have a chain of four to 28 [[carbon]] atoms (usually unbranched and even numbered), which may be saturated or unsaturated.<ref name=iupac> {{cite book| url=http://goldbook.iupac.org/F02330.html |title= The Gold Book |series =IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology|edition= 2nd |year=1997| publisher = International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry| accessdate=| isbn=052151150X| author=}}</ref> This would include [[acetic acid]], although this is not usually considered a fatty acid (not a [[lipid]]). The blend of fatty acids in [[mammal]]ian skin, together with [[lactic acid]] and [[pyruvic acid]], are distinctive. They allow animals with a keen sense of smell to identify individuals.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721091839.htm Science Daily: News & articles in science, health, environment & technology]</ref> == Related pages == *[[Essential fatty acid]] == References == {{Reflist}} [[Category:Carboxylic acids]] [[Category:Lipids]]