Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Fatty acid: An unbranched carboxylic acid, usually having between 12 and 20 carbon atoms in its molecular structure. Called 'fatty acids' because many of these molecules were first isolated from animal fat.

Common Saturated Fatty Acids

Lauric acid		Myristric acid
Palmitic acid		Stearic acid

Arachidic acid

Common Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid		Linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid
Linolenic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid		Arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid