Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between a saturated and an unsaturated fatty acid?
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10. Lipids
Fatty Acids
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Which of the following molecules is a saturated fatty acid?
A
Linoleic acid (C$_{18}$H$_{32}$O$_2$)
B
Arachidonic acid (C$_{20}$H$_{32}$O$_2$)
C
Oleic acid (C$_{18}$H$_{34}$O$_2$)
D
Palmitic acid (C$_{16}$H$_{32}$O$_2$)
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of saturated fatty acids. Saturated fatty acids are molecules that contain no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chain. This means all carbon atoms are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms.
Step 2: Analyze the molecular formulas provided for each fatty acid. Saturated fatty acids typically have a higher hydrogen-to-carbon ratio compared to unsaturated fatty acids, which contain double bonds.
Step 3: Examine the molecular formula of Linoleic acid (C$_{18}$H$_{32}$O$_2$). The hydrogen count (32) is lower than expected for a saturated fatty acid of this carbon count, indicating the presence of double bonds.
Step 4: Similarly, analyze Arachidonic acid (C$_{20}$H$_{32}$O$_2$) and Oleic acid (C$_{18}$H$_{34}$O$_2$). Both have molecular formulas that suggest the presence of double bonds, as their hydrogen counts are not maximized for their respective carbon counts.
Step 5: Finally, evaluate Palmitic acid (C$_{16}$H$_{32}$O$_2$). The hydrogen count (32) matches the maximum possible for a saturated fatty acid with 16 carbons, confirming that Palmitic acid is the saturated fatty acid among the options.
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