omega-6 fatty acid
Noun 1. a polyunsaturated fatty acid whose carbon chain has its first double valence bond six carbons from the beginning (synonym) omega-6 (hypernym) polyunsaturated fatty acid (hyponym) linolenic acid | ||||
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Omega-6 fatty acid Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
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Omega-6 fatty acid
Omega-6 fatty acids are fatty acids where the term "omega-6" signifies that the first double bond in the carbon backbone of the fatty acid, occurs in the omega minus 6 position; that is, the sixth carbon from the end of the fatty acid. See essential fatty acids for more detail on the naming system.
The biological effects of the ω-6 fatty acids are largely mediated by their interactions with the ω-3 fatty acids, see Essential fatty acid interactions for detail.
Linoleic acid (18:2), the shortest chain omega-6 fatty acid is an essential fatty acid. Arachidonic acid (20:4) is a physiologically significant n-6 fatty acid and is the precursor for prostaglandins and other physiologically active molecules.
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