Fats are classified as "alkanoates". Alkanoates are a type of organic compound consisting of a long chain of carbon atoms (called an alkyl group) and a carboxyl group (-COO-) at one end. Fats are made up of glycerol molecules (a type of alcohol) and three alkanoic acids (also known as fatty acids) that are attached to the glycerol backbone, forming a molecule known as a triglyceride. Therefore, fats are classified as alkanoates because they contain these alkyl groups and carboxyl groups.