 Also called fat – are a family of chemical compounds that are a main part of every living cell.

 1. Triglycerides – include most of the fats that we eat ( fat and oils)  2. Phospholipids – substances that mix with fat and water which makes it possible for other fat to dissolve in water.  3. Sterols – bile acids, certain hormones, and cholesterol.

 Its main function is for energy but also, to keep the body warm.  Stored in the body in adipose tissue(pockets of fat-storing cells)

 Are made of fatty acids which have a carbon chain with attached hydrogen atoms and a carboxyl group.  Carboxyl group - carbon bonded to oxygen and to a hydrogen group in a single bond.

 Not all fatty acids are the same. What makes the difference is the length of the carbon chain.  Most fatty acids in foods have an 18- carbon chain fatty acid

 Three fatty acids are connected with a glycerol group.

 Saturated  Unsaturated

 In most saturated fats, the fatty acids contain all the hydrogen atoms their molecular structure can hold.  They are solid at room temperature  They mostly come from animal fats.  Examples are fat on meat, butter, the fat in cheese.

 Most of the fatty acids are missing one or more hydrogen atoms. ◦ To make up for a missing atom, two carbon atoms that are each missing a hydrogen atom will bond to each other with a double bond.

 Most are liquid at room temperature  Most come plants.  Examples are vegetable oil, olive oil, and coconut oil.  Not as harmful to your body as saturated fat.

 Occurs as the surface of foods react with oxygen.  When fatty acids oxidize they lose electrons by combining with oxygen. This is the main reason why high fat foods spoil.

 The term that describes the unpleasant flavor that develop as fats oxidize.  Antioxidant – a substance that prevents or slows down oxidation.

 A chemical process in which hydrogen is added to unsaturated fat molecules, breaking the double bonds and replacing then with single bonds.  They are more stable, or resists oxidation.

 Contributes to a build up of lipid material mixed with calcium and smooth cells.  This can block the arteries and travel into the heart causing a heart attack.  Travel through the body in lipoproteins.

 Low-Density-Lipoprotein = (LDL) transport cholesterol from the liver to other tissues  High-Density-Lipoprotein = are higher in proteins than lipids and carry cholesterol back to the liver. ◦ Carry cholesterol back to the liver to be broken down and disposed.