Which category contains fatty acids with no double bonds?

Which category contains fatty acids with no double bonds?

• A. Unsaturated
• B. Trans fatty acids
• C. Saturated
• D. Phospholipid fatty acids

Answer: (C)

Fatty acids with no double bonds are saturated. When there are only single bonds between carbon atoms, the chain is fully loaded with hydrogens, making it straight so molecules pack tightly and typically raise the melting point. This distinguishes them from unsaturated fatty acids, which have one or more double bonds that create kinks and prevent tight packing, usually lowering the melting point and making fats more liquid at room temperature. Trans fatty acids are still unsaturated because they contain double bonds (arranged differently), not no double bonds. Phospholipid fatty acids can be either saturated or unsaturated since they refer to fatty acid tails in phospholipids, not a specific state of saturation.

Fatty acids with no double bonds are saturated. When there are only single bonds between carbon atoms, the chain is fully loaded with hydrogens, making it straight so molecules pack tightly and typically raise the melting point. This distinguishes them from unsaturated fatty acids, which have one or more double bonds that create kinks and prevent tight packing, usually lowering the melting point and making fats more liquid at room temperature. Trans fatty acids are still unsaturated because they contain double bonds (arranged differently), not no double bonds. Phospholipid fatty acids can be either saturated or unsaturated since they refer to fatty acid tails in phospholipids, not a specific state of saturation.