What does the term "saturated fatty acid" mean?

The term "saturated fatty acid" refers to a type of fatty acid where all carbon atoms in the molecule are bonded to as many hydrogen atoms as possible. This means that there are no double bonds between carbon atoms. Each carbon in the chain is "saturated" with hydrogen, which gives these fatty acids their name.

Saturated fatty acids are typically solid at room temperature due to their straight structure, which allows them to pack closely together. This packing affects their physical state and melting point. The presence of hydrogen atoms surrounding the carbon chain results in higher melting points compared to unsaturated fatty acids, which contain one or more double bonds. Thus, option B accurately describes the chemical structure of saturated fatty acids.