Question

How can you tell whether a fat contains primarily saturated or unsaturated fatty acids:

A) Solid at room temperature
B) Liquid at room temperature
C) Contains double bonds
D) Both B and C

Answer 1

Saturated fatty acids are solid at room temperature because they have no double carbon bonds and pack tightly together. Monounsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature because they have one double carbon bond and are unable to pack together tightly.

Step-by-step explanation:

Fatty acid chains that have no double carbon bonds anywhere along their length and therefore contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms are called saturated fatty acids. These straight, rigid chains pack tightly together and are solid or semi-solid at room temperature. On the other hand, fatty acids with one double carbon bond are kinked at that bond and are called monounsaturated fatty acids. These are unable to pack together tightly and therefore are liquid at room temperature.