
are FA that have to be supplied in the diet Polyunsaturated FA:.Greek letters (ω) are also commonly used:.

Arachidonic acid 20:4, positions 5, 8, 11, 14.Linolenic acid 18:3, positions 9, 12, 15.Stearic acid CH3-(CH2)16-COOHUnsaturated FA.The figure was adopted from: J.Koolman, K.H.Röhm / Color Atlas of Biochemistry, 2nd edition the number of C atoms in the longer, natural FA is always even(synthesis from acetyl residues).in higher plants and animals, unbranched, longchain FA with either 16 or 18 C atoms are the most common (palmitic and stearic acid).free fatty acids (FFAs) = unesterified forms of FA.in fats or membrane lipids they are esterified with alcohols (glycerol, sphingosine).are carboxylic acids with unbranched hydrocarbon chains of 4 – 24 C atoms.long chain carboxylic acids (= fatty acids) The figures were adopted from.


