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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the primary structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
A
Unsaturated fats have longer fatty acid chains than saturated fats.
B
Saturated fats are always liquid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats are always solid.
C
Saturated fats contain phosphate groups, whereas unsaturated fats do not.
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 composition 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 in the chain.
Step 2: Define saturated fats. Saturated fats have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains. This means all carbon atoms are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, resulting in a straight chain structure.
Step 3: Define unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains. These double bonds introduce kinks or bends in the chain, affecting the physical properties of the fat.
Step 4: Compare the physical properties of saturated and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats tend to be solid at room temperature due to their straight chains, which allow tight packing. Unsaturated fats, with their kinked chains, are usually liquid at room temperature because they cannot pack as tightly.
Step 5: Conclude that the primary structural difference between saturated and unsaturated fats is the presence of double bonds in unsaturated fats, which are absent in saturated fats. This structural difference impacts their physical state and biological functions.