Final answer:
Saturated fatty acids contain only single covalent bonds and no double or triple bonds. They are fully saturated with hydrogen and generally solid at room temperature. They are found in many animal fats and some plant oils.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saturated fatty acids are types of fat molecules that do not have any double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. They contain only single covalent bonds along their carbon chains, which means they are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. These fatty acids typically have an even number of carbon atoms and are usually found as solids at room temperature. Some common examples of saturated fatty acids include palmitic acid and stearic acid. Contrary to saturated fats, unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, making them liquid at room temperature and generally considered healthier. Fats containing saturated fatty acids are linked to health issues such as atherosclerosis.