Final answer:
Unsaturated fats can function like saturated fats through hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen and converts some cis double bonds to trans, creating trans fats.
Step-by-step explanation:
An unsaturated fat can be made to function like a saturated fat through the process of hydrogenation. During hydrogenation, hydrogen gas is bubbled through oils containing unsaturated fats, which results in the addition of hydrogen atoms to the carbon chains. This process can be partial or complete:
- Complete hydrogenation eliminates all double bonds, turning the unsaturated fat into a saturated one, increasing its melting point.
- Partial hydrogenation converts some of the cis double bonds into trans double bonds, creating trans fats. Although trans fats are technically unsaturated, their structure is more linear like that of saturated fats, making them function similarly in terms of physical properties and how they affect the body.
The correct answer to the question "How can an unsaturated fat be made to function like a saturated one?" is c. Hydrogenation of unsaturated fats forms the trans fats. Trans fats have similar properties to saturated fats because they can pack more tightly due to their straighter chains.