What is the differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acid?

Saturated fatty acid molecules have no carbon-carbon double bonds, and all of the remaining carbon bonds are shared by hydrogen atoms, except the one in the carboxyl group, at the beginning of the chain.

Unsaturated fatty acid molecules also begin with the carboxyl group, but contain one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, and may contain one or more carbon atoms with a bonding electron that remains unassociated.

Related Information:

Polyunsaturated fats have more than one bond left available for hydrogen. In cooking oils, hydrogenation increases the number of hydrogen bonds in relation to the double carbon bonds.

Saturated fats are solid at room temperature. They are mainly animal fats such as beef, pork and chicken and in animal products such as milk, butter, cheese and eggs. Too much of these fats can collect along the walls of your blood vessels. This can lead to Heart disease, and a poor profile of the bad fat and cholesterol in the blood.

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature. These are mainly plant fats such as corn, safflower, olive, walnut, canola and others. These fats can help clean the blood vessels. However, too much of some of these fats can lead to Heart disease. Other unsaturated fats, called omega-3 fatty acids can help clear out the blood vessels and also help with brain function and eye function.