The chains are made up of long strands of carbon atoms. Fats are also divided into groups depending on the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon chain. Meaning it can attach to four other atoms. In a fatty acid chain of a triglyceride two of the binding sites are taken by other carbons, which creates the chain like structure. The other two carbon binding sites can be taken up by hydrogen atoms, which is normally the case.
Saturated fats are triglycerides that have two hydrogen on each carbon atom.
Consequently, the carbon chain is saturated with as many hydrogens as possible. Thus there is a double bond for each hydrogen that is missing. Saturated fats are associated with elevated cholesterol. This is because cholesterol is produced from saturated fats. Compound fats - are simple fats bound together with other chemical elements.