Which type of fatty acid does not contain any double bonds in its carbon chain?

Saturated fatty acids are characterized by the absence of double bonds in their carbon chain. This means that all the carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen atoms, resulting in a straight structure. This structure allows saturated fatty acids to pack tightly together, which is why they are typically solid at room temperature.

In contrast, both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats contain double bonds, which introduce kinks in their structure. Polyunsaturated fats have multiple double bonds, while monounsaturated fats have only one. Trans fats, though they contain double bonds, have a specific configuration that differs from natural unsaturated fats. Therefore, the defining property of saturated fatty acids is their complete lack of double bonds, making them distinct from the other types of fatty acids listed.