Cis-Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Most naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids occur in a cis configuration. Carbon-carbon bonds adjacent to double bonds are on the same side (arrows). The chain is bent at each double bond. Multiple double bonds can cause a folded-back, U-like formation.

The chemical bonds of cis-unsaturated fatty acid with the carbon-carbon double bonds highlighted plus its molecular structure with a dashed line through the mid-line of the molecule and arrows marking carbon-carbon bonds adjacent to double bonds.