Question

Consider this information concerning the fatty acid composition of four different triglycerides: in triglyceride a, three saturated fatty acids are attached to glycerol. in triglyceride b, one saturated and two unsaturated fatty acids are attached to glycerol. in triglyceride c, two saturated and one unsaturated fatty acids are attached to glycerol. in triglyceride d, three unsaturated fatty acids are attached to glycerol. which of the following statements is correct?

a. triglyceride c has a higher melting point than triglyceride d.
b. triglyceride a has a higher melting point than triglyceride c
c. triglyceride d has a higher melting point than triglyceride b.
d. triglyceride b has a higher melting point than triglyceride c.

Answer 1

The melting point of triglycerides is influenced by their fatty acid composition. Saturated triglycerides have higher melting points than unsaturated triglycerides. Triglyceride b has a higher melting point than triglyceride c.

Step-by-step explanation:

In triglycerides, the fatty acid composition affects their physical characteristics, such as melting point. Saturated triglycerides contain only single bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated triglycerides contain at least one double bond. As a result, saturated triglycerides tend to have a higher melting point than unsaturated triglycerides.

According to the information given, triglycerides b and c have the same number of unsaturated fatty acids (two unsaturated fatty acids). However, triglyceride b also has one saturated fatty acid, whereas triglyceride c has two saturated fatty acids. Since unsaturated fatty acids introduce kinks in the carbon chain that prevent the molecules from packing tightly, triglyceride c is more likely to have a lower melting point than triglyceride b, making statement d incorrect.

Therefore, the correct statement would be that triglyceride b has a higher melting point than triglyceride c.