What is the main difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

The primary distinction between saturated and unsaturated fats lies in their chemical structures, specifically the presence or absence of double bonds within their fatty acid chains. Saturated fats contain no double bonds, which means their fatty acid chains are fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms. This structure allows saturated fats to pack closely together, which contributes to their typically solid state at room temperature.

In contrast, unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains. These double bonds create kinks in the structure, preventing them from packing tightly, which generally results in unsaturated fats being liquid at room temperature. The absence of double bonds in saturated fats is a defining characteristic that influences their physical properties and behaviors in biological systems.