Triglycerides are composed of a single molecule of glycerol bound to 3 fatty acids. These include fats and oils. Fatty acids are long-chain hydrocarbons with a carboxyl group at one end which binds to one of the hydroxyl groups of glycerol, thus forming an ester bond. Fatty acids are structural unit of lipids and are carboxylic acid of long-chain hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon can vary in length from 4-24 carbons and the fat may be saturated or unsaturated. In saturated fatty acids, the hydrocarbon chain is single-bonded.
eg. Palmitic acid, Stearic acid and unsaturated fatty acids.
eg. Oleic acid, linoleie acid) the hydrocarbon chain is double bonded (one/two/three). In general solid fats are saturated and oils are unsaturated, in which most are globules.
