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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between a saturated fat and an unsaturated fat?
A
Saturated fats are liquid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats are solid at room temperature.
B
Saturated fats contain phosphate groups, while unsaturated fats do not.
C
Saturated fats are composed of glycerol only, while unsaturated fats are composed of fatty acids only.
D
Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats have fatty acid chains where all carbon atoms are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, meaning there are no double bonds between the carbon atoms. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, have one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which introduces kinks or bends in their structure.
Step 2: Analyze the physical properties of saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature due to their straight chains, which allow them to pack tightly together. Unsaturated fats, with their bent chains caused by double bonds, are usually liquid at room temperature because they cannot pack as tightly.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options based on the structural and physical properties. For example, saturated fats do not contain phosphate groups, nor are they composed solely of glycerol. Similarly, unsaturated fats are not composed solely of fatty acids.
Step 4: Focus on the correct answer, which highlights the presence or absence of double bonds in the fatty acid chains. Saturated fats lack double bonds, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats is based on the presence of double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which affects their physical state and structural properties.