Which type of hydrocarbons are considered saturated?

Saturated hydrocarbons are those that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms. Alkanes, which encompass the correct answer, consist entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in a tree structure with only single covalent bonds. This saturation defines them, as every carbon atom is fully bonded to hydrogen atoms, making them less reactive than other types of hydrocarbons.

In contrast, the other types of hydrocarbons involve double or triple bonds, making them unsaturated. Alkenes contain at least one double bond, while alkynes have at least one triple bond. Aromatics are characterized by a ring structure with delocalized electrons and often include double bonds, which also prevents them from being considered saturated.