Josh
For my project, I decided to research the differences between fat and saturated fat in both structure and purpose, or effect on the body.
As I started my research, I realized that the fatty acids could all be classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated. Next, I looked at the structures of these three acids and noticed that the differences lay in the amount of hydrogen atoms, and consequently, the number of double bonds. Saturated fats contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms, monounsaturated fats lack two hydrogen atoms, and polyunsaturated fats are missing four or more atoms, and have two or more double bonds between carbon and oxygen. With this information, I was able to design the Lewis Structures and create the models of these three fats. From my model, I discovered the difference between trans and cis fatty acids. Cis-fatty acids fold in the natural direction while Trans-fatty acids fold unnaturally and can only be made using heat or hydrogenation.
After determining the structure of the three types of fats, I focused on the ways in which fat as a whole, and the three types individually affect the body. I found that fat in general serves as an insulator, a reserve of energy in periods of low caloric intake, a vehicle for fat-soluble vitamins, a structural component of the cell membrane, and a taste and odor for foods. An excess turns into what we know as body fat. Individually, saturated fat is known to raise the blood cholesterol level and can lead to heart problems. It should be taken in moderation. Monounsaturated fat appears in a liquid state at room temperature and thus causes less clogging. Polyunsaturated fat on the other hand, is thought to lower the blood cholesterol level but could lead to cancer. Generally, 30% of the caloric intake per day should consist of fat. From these calories, half should be polyunsaturated, and the other half should be partly monounsaturated and partly saturated fat.
Finally, I read that saturated fats are found in meat products, milk, eggs, butter, ice cream, and chocolate while other fats are usually found in various nuts and some oils. From this information, one can decide upon what foods to avoid, or at least eat in moderation.