Fatty acids: structure and properties

What you will learn

• Name a fatty acid using systematic, omega and common notations.
• Classify fatty acids by chain length, unsaturation, configuration and omega family.
• Relate a double bond or carboxyl group to a physical property or chemical reaction.
• Identify major eicosanoids and their biological roles.

Course outline

1. Why fatty acids are central

   Fatty acids connect the hydrophobic properties of lipids with their storage, membrane, signaling, and protective functions.

   17 min

2. Definition and nomenclature

   The bipolar fatty-acid structure is described by chain length, double bonds, their positions from carboxyl or methyl ends, and their configuration.

   25 min

3. Saturated fatty acids

   Absence of double bonds defines saturated fatty acids, whose families differ by length, abundance, distribution, and possible branching.

   25 min

4. Unsaturated fatty acids and essential families

   Number, position, and spacing of double bonds define unsaturated fatty acids and omega series with distinct roles.

   34 min

5. Atypical fatty acids and eicosanoids

   Trans configurations, terminal positions, rings, hydroxyl groups, and C20 derivatives illustrate structural departures associated with targeted functions.

   34 min

6. Physical properties

   Length, double bonds, and amphiphilicity determine physical state, transition temperatures, solubility, and interfacial organization.

   29 min

7. Carboxyl reactivity

   The acidic carboxyl group forms amphiphilic alkaline salts or esters whose nature depends on the alcohol used.

   21 min

8. Double-bond reactivity

   Halogenation, hydrogenation, isomerization, and migration transform or measure double bonds without initially acting on the carboxyl.

   23 min

9. Oxidation and integrated landmarks

   Oxidation reactions reveal double-bond positions while also explaining rancidity and the drying properties of oils.

   22 min