Final answer:
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are the fancy name for the structure of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food. They contain two or more double bonds along the length of their hydrocarbon chains.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are the fancy name for the structure of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are a type of polyunsaturated fat that cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from food. These fatty acids contain two or more double bonds along the length of their hydrocarbon chains.
Naturally occurring fatty acids are generally in the cis configuration, where the hydrogen atoms are bonded to the same side of the carbon chain, giving the chain a bent structure. In contrast, trans fatty acids have the hydrogen atoms on opposite sides of the carbon chain, resulting in a linear structure.
Polyunsaturated fats, specifically omega-3 fatty acids, are found in foods like oily fish, walnuts, and flax seeds. Trans fats, on the other hand, are typically created in an industrial process called partial hydrogenation and are known to be detrimental to human health.