Fats or Lipids are water insoluble subatances that can be extracted from cells using nonpolar organic solvents. They have a relatively large nonpolar hydrocarbon part and a small oxygen containing polar part. Stearic acid has a 17 atom hydrocarbon chain and a carboxylic acid group.
Its chemical formula is CH3(CH2)16COOH and it is a saturated fat.
Linoleic acid has two double bonds, can be hydrogenated and is a poly unsaturated fat. Its formula is CH3(CH2)4CH=CH2CH=CH(CH2)7COOH
Three stearic acid molecules can form a triester with glycerol, HO-CH2(CH-OH)CH2-OH, called a triglyceride.
Cholesterol is another well known fat. It is a stearoid and has a structure based on fused rings.
