Final answer:
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the two most common essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that must be ingested through diet because the body cannot synthesize them. These fatty acids are involved in important biological processes including the production of other fatty acids and prostaglandins. They go through alternate routes of oxidation due to their unique double bond placement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two most common branched chain fatty acids often discussed in the context of human nutrition are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are not only essential fatty acids but also polyunsaturated fatty acids that are crucial for normal growth, development, and the proper functioning of the body. Moreover, omega fatty acids assist in the transport and metabolism of cholesterol.
The human body cannot synthesize these essential fatty acids; hence, they must be obtained through the diet. Among the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid, while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid. These fatty acids are critical as the body uses linoleic acid to synthesize other fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, which is a precursor for prostaglandins synthesis.
The necessity for omega fatty acids to go through alternate routes of fatty acid oxidation is due to their distinct structure, which includes the location of double bonds. Specifically, the double bond in omega-3 fatty acids occurs at the third carbon from the end of the hydrocarbon chain. This unique structure means they are metabolized differently from saturated fats, which contain no double bonds, and from other unsaturated fats that have double bonds in different locations.