Question

When a fatty acid is described as being saturated, it means that it _____. a. contains only single bonds between its carbon atoms b. has limited chemical stability c. contains three bonds linking each carbon atoms d. contains multiple double bonds in its structure between carbon atoms

Answer 1

a. contains only single bonds between its carbon atoms

Step-by-step explanation:

A fatty acid is a hydrocarbon with a single carboxyl group in it (R=O, where R is the carbonic chain). The bonds between carbons can be single, double or triple. The single bonds are called saturated bonds because the electrons are well distributed, but the double and triple bonds have relocated electrons, and they're called unsaturated bonds.

When a fatty acid has only single bonds between its carbon atoms, all the bonds are saturated, so the fatty acid is saturated. If there is at least one double or triple bond between carbons, the fatty acid is unsaturated.