Describe the three types of fatty acids.

Saturated fatty acids do not have any carbon-carbon double bonds and are therefore linear molecules.

Monosaturated fatty acids have one carbon-carbon double bond, creating one kink in the otherwise linear molecule.

Polysaturated fatty acids have multiple carbon-carbon double bonds, creating multiple kinks in the molecule.

Saturated fatty acids have higher melting temperatures than unsaturated fatty acids, as they are able to pack together lengthwise, increasing the Van Der Waals forces between the molecules. The kinks in the unsaturated fatty acids prevent the molecules from packing together, meaning that they are liquid at room temperature.