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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: annie123 on 08/12/2019 01:26:21

Title: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: annie123 on 08/12/2019 01:26:21
As per topic heading .....
Title: Re: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: chiralSPO on 08/12/2019 03:26:19
typically, the omega will be followed by a number (like 3, or 5)

omega (ω) is the last letter of thee Greek alphabet, and is used in chemistry to denote the end of a long chain. an ω-3 unsaturated fatty acid is one that has a C=C bond three bonds in from the last carbon of the chain.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
Title: Re: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: annie123 on 08/12/2019 05:15:02
Thanks. I knew it was the last letter but didn't know the connection. Interesting!
Title: Re: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: Bored chemist on 08/12/2019 10:00:38
The practice starts from the idea of referencing the atoms in a chain like that, but starting from the other end (i.e. starting from the end with the acid group).
The carbon next to the acid group is the "alpha carbon" the one that is next bar one is the "beta carbon" and so on.
It's not easy (or particularly important in this case) to say how long the chain is, but what matters is that you are 3 carbons in from the end.

And it means that
ω-3
should be read as "omega minus three" rather than "omega three" and "ω3" is wrong.
Title: Re: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: Colin2B on 08/12/2019 21:39:34
....omega (ω) is the last letter of thee Greek alphabet,
I am glad that thou didst explaneth that  ;)
Title: Re: why are omega fatty acids called Omega?
Post by: chiralSPO on 09/12/2019 01:41:22
....omega (ω) is the last letter of thee Greek alphabet,
I am glad that thou didst explaneth that  ;)

For soothe, my olde eeee key is stucke. thee = the