What are fatty acids primarily composed of?

Fatty acids are primarily composed of chains of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms. This structural composition forms their characteristic long hydrocarbon chains, which can vary in length and in the level of saturation. In saturated fatty acids, all carbon atoms in the chain are connected by single bonds, allowing for the maximum number of hydrogen atoms to be attached. In contrast, unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, which results in fewer hydrogen atoms attached to the chain.

The significance of the carbon-hydrogen framework is pivotal in biological systems, as fatty acids serve as fundamental building blocks for lipids, which are essential for cell membranes and energy storage. Their hydrophobic nature aids in forming lipid bilayers that are crucial for the structure and function of cellular membranes.

Other options describe components that do not align with the fundamental structure of fatty acids. For example, chains of nitrogen and oxygen atoms pertain to amino acids and proteins, while chains of carbon atoms with hydroxyl groups relate more closely to alcohols or carbohydrates, not fatty acids. Chains of amino acids refer specifically to proteins, diverging from the lipid nature of fatty acids. Understanding these distinctions is critical in biochemistry and cellular biology.