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Structure-domain

Fatty acid synthase allows a fatty acid to become saturated and to reverse this reaction, fatty acid desaturase is introduced and makes the fatty acid unsaturated by creating double bonds.

In all organisms for example bacteria fungus plants animals and humans.

Maintain structure and function of membranes within cells of the organisms above. This is important when temperatures changes and the membrane is under distress. The enzyme creates the double bond C-Cs which allow the membrane to become more fluid and the temperature is decreased. When temperatures change, a phase transition occurs. In the case of a temperature decrease, the membrane gels and becomes solid which can result in cracks and the imbedded proteins cannot partake in conformational changes, therefore it is important to maintain membrane fluidity.

Human metabolism- delta 5 and 6 are found in all mammals. Vertebrates are unable to synthesize polyunsaturated fatty acids because they do not have the neccessary fatty acid desaturases to "convert oleic acid (18:1n-9) into linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and α-linolenic acid". These polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for ideal health within humans and are essential for development. By creating desaturations at the Δ6 and Δ5 positions in the carbon backbone with the addition of an elongation allows the process of linoleic acid to achidonic acid and from α-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid to partake.

Mechanism-coenzyme-transition state

Reactions that use fatty acid desaturates must be in aerobic conditions with oxygen present.