What type of fat is characterized by having all carbon atoms connected by single bonds?

Saturated fats are characterized by having all carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains connected by single bonds. This structure means that each carbon atom is saturated with hydrogen atoms, leading to a straight chain configuration. Due to this straightness, saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature. Common sources of saturated fats include animal products such as meat and dairy, as well as some plant oils like coconut and palm oil.

In contrast, unsaturated fats (both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, which introduces kinks in the structure and generally makes them liquid at room temperature. Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat modified to be solid at room temperature, while polyunsaturated fats contain multiple double bonds, further differentiating them from saturated fats. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for making informed dietary choices regarding fat intake.