Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
When a fatty acid is described as being saturated, it means that it:
A
has a carboxyl group replaced by a methyl group
B
contains one or more double bonds between carbon atoms
C
is always liquid at room temperature
D
contains no double bonds between carbon atoms
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of fatty acids: Fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group (-COOH) at one end. They can be classified as saturated or unsaturated based on the presence or absence of double bonds between carbon atoms.
Define saturated fatty acids: A saturated fatty acid has no double bonds between the carbon atoms in its hydrocarbon chain. All carbon atoms are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, meaning each carbon is bonded to the maximum number of hydrogens.
Contrast with unsaturated fatty acids: Unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. These double bonds create kinks in the chain, affecting the physical properties of the fatty acid, such as its state at room temperature.
Eliminate incorrect options: The option 'has a carboxyl group replaced by a methyl group' is incorrect because the carboxyl group is a defining feature of fatty acids. The option 'is always liquid at room temperature' is incorrect because saturated fatty acids are typically solid at room temperature.
Select the correct answer: Based on the definition of saturated fatty acids, the correct answer is 'contains no double bonds between carbon atoms.' This aligns with the chemical structure and properties of saturated fatty acids.