Table 1.

The most physiologically important saturated fatty acids.

The Notation of Fatty Acid (Number of Carbon Atoms: Number π Bonds)	Trivial Name	Systematic Name (IUPAC)	Chemical Formula
12:0	Lauric	Dodecanoic	CH3–(CH2)10–COOH
14:0	Myristic	Tetradecanoic	CH3–(CH2)12–COOH
16:0	Palmitic	Hexadecanoic	CH3–(CH2)14–COOH
18:0	Stearic	Octadecanoic	CH3–(CH2)16–COOH
20:0	Arachidic	Eicosanoic	CH3–(CH2)18–COOH
22:0	Behenic	Docosanoic	CH3–(CH2)20–COOH
24:0	Lignoceric	Tetracosanoic	CH3–(CH2)22–COOH