What is the difference between saturated monounsaturated polyunsaturated and trans fats?

Answer 1

Saturated fat does not have any double bonds. A double bond occurs when a carbon atom is joined to another carbon atom by two covalent bonds. To picture a single bond, draw two circles and draw a line between their centers but stop at their circumferences. To picture a covalent bond, draw two circles and draw two parallel lines from the outside of each circle to the outside of the other one. That is a double bond. Now draw two more like that. On one erase one of the outside lines and put two little circles where the outside line touched the circle. Label those little circles hydrogen atoms. Label that picture cis fat. On the other picture, where one of the lines touches one circle put a little circle. Label that hydrogen atom. Now draw a diagonal line to the point where the other line touches the other circle. Draw another little circle. Label that little circle hydrogen atom. Now erase the parallel lines. Call that picture Trans Fat.

Nature makes cis fat. Nature does not make trans fat. Trans means opposite. Notice the line is longer.

Answer 2

This is a very important question that it deserves an answer, ASAP. It is unfortunate how few people really understand the biochemistry of fat metabolism, however we will tersely discuss these types of fats: 1. Saturated Fats - in saturated fats, the carbon atoms contain all the hydrogen atoms they can hold (thereby, the term - "saturated"). Saturated fats are maily found in animal products such as milk, butter, ice cream, cheese, etc. Saturated fats play the single greatest role in raising cholesterol and putting us at greater risk for a heart attack. 2. Unsaturated Fats - a) mono-unsaturated fats come from vegetables and remain liquid at room temperature - monounsaturated fats are found in avocados, olives, and many nuts. b) poly-unsaturated fats also come from vegetables but they remain liquid at room and refrigerated temperatures. These types of fats are found in corn, sunflower, fish, and soybean oils.

Answer 3

Polyunsaturated Fats - They have more than one C=C double bond. They lower cholesterol by increasing its removal from the body and improve the LDL/HDL balance.

Monounsaturated Fats - They have exactly one C=C double bond. They are more neutral as far as health is concerned and don't raise or lower cholesterol dramatically at all. Although it is now proven that monounsaturated fats can lower cholesterol slightly.

Answer 4

The general structure of fats (fatty acids) are long chains of carbons with glycerol molecules at the end. The types of bonds between the carbons determine the fat's identity.

Saturated fats have no double bonds between the carbons in the molecule. This means they can pack tightly together due to their linear shape and tend to be solid at room temperature.

Mono and polyunsaturated fats have double bonds in their carbon chain. Monounsaturated fats have only one double bond, while polyunsaturated fats have more than one double bond. These carbon chains tend to be "kinked" so they cannot pack as tightly and are generally liquid at room temperature.

Answer 5

Triglycerides are fats in your blood.

Saturated fats and unsaturated fats are fats that you eat. Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, meat, milk, cheese, lard. Unsaturated fats are found in non-animal products such as avocados, nuts, and oils. Unsaturated fats are considered healthier for your heart than saturated fats. Saturated fats should be minimized for good health.

The following is copied from the American Heart Assoc. website;

Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises the level of cholesterol in your blood. High levels of blood cholesterol increase your risk of Heart disease and stroke. Be aware, too, that many foods high in saturated fats are also high in cholesterol - which raises your blood cholesterol even higher.

Answer 6

The number of double bonds between carbon atoms.

Saturated have none, mono have one, poly have two or more.

Answer 7

Mono-unsaturated fats are the healthiest fats out of the ones you have listed however poly-unsaturated fats are healthier. trans fats are the least healthy fats of all