Description
Saturated fatty acids are synthesized by both plants and animals from acetyl coenzyme A as a form of long-
term energy storage. Saturated fatty acids are synthesized by both plants and animals from acetyl coenzyme A as a form of long-
term energy storage. Palmitic acid is a common 16-
carbon saturated fat that represents 10-
20% of the normal dietary fat intake. Palmitic acid also makes up approximately 25% of the total plasma fatty acids in plasma lipoproteins. Saturated free fatty acids induce the expression of cyclooxygenase 2, and after protein acylation, are used to confer lipid anchoring to a variety of signaling molecules. Palmitate is the salt (in this case calcium) of palmitic acid. It is this anion that is observed at physiological pH. Calcium palmitate is one of the major components of gallstones.
