What shape do saturated fatty acids typically have?

Saturated fatty acids typically have a linear shape due to the presence of single bonds between the carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chain. This straight configuration allows saturated fatty acids to pack closely together, leading to a solid state at room temperature. The linearity is a result of each carbon atom being bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible, resulting in no double bonds that could create bends or curves in the chain. This contrasts with unsaturated fatty acids, which contain one or more double bonds, leading to kinks in their structure. The linear shape is significant because it influences the physical properties and biological functions of these fatty acids in various contexts, such as membrane fluidity and energy storage.