monounsaturated fatty acid
Noun: A monounsaturated fatty acid is a type of unsaturated fatty acid. Its molecular structure contains exactly one double bond (or, less commonly, one triple bond) in its carbon chain. This single point of unsaturation influences its physical properties and health effects. It is a category of dietary fat found notably in certain plant oils, nuts, and poultry.
This term is used primarily in nutritional science, biochemistry, and health contexts to classify and discuss specific types of dietary fats. * Nutritionists often recommend replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fatty acids for better heart health. * Oleic acid is the most common monounsaturated fatty acid in the human diet. * The chemical structure of a monounsaturated fatty acid has one double bond.
- Biochemical Context: In lipid biochemistry, the position of the double bond in a monounsaturated fatty acid (e.g., omega-7 or omega-9) determines its metabolic pathway and function in the body.
- Technical Specification: The term is often abbreviated as MUFA in scientific literature and nutritional labeling.
- MUFA: Common acronym for monounsaturated fatty acid(s).
- Oleic Acid: A specific, prevalent monounsaturated fatty acid (C18:1, omega-9).
- Palmitoleic Acid: Another example of a monounsaturated fatty acid (C16:1, omega-7).
- Unsaturated Fatty Acid: The broader category to which monounsaturated fatty acids belong.
- Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid: A related type with double bond in its carbon chain.
- Monounsaturated fat (though technically, "fat" refers to triglycerides containing these acids, the terms are often used interchangeably in general discourse).
- MUFA (acronym).
- Source of monounsaturated fatty acids: A phrase used to describe foods like olive oil, nuts (almonds, cashews), and avocados.
- High in monounsaturates: A common nutritional claim meaning high in monounsaturated fatty acids.
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an unsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has one double or triple valence bond per molecule; found chiefly in olive oil and chicken and almonds
