Question

$CH_{3}(CH_{2}) _{14}COOH$ is the chemical formula of
(a) Palmitic acid
(b) Stearic acid
(c) Glycerol
(d) Galactose

Answer 1

Hint: The other name of the compound is hexadecanoic acid. The first product during fatty acid synthesis and is the precursor to longer fatty acids. It is the most common fatty acid found in the human body.

Complete answer:
$CH_{3}(CH_{2}) _{14}COOH$ is the chemical formula of palmitic acid. The human body accounts for 20- 30% of total fatty acid and also occurs in our general diet. To maintain the membrane phospholipids balance of the cell membrane, the optimal intake of palmitic acid in a certain ratio with unsaturated fatty acids is required.
- On average, a 70 kg man contains 3.5 kg of PA.
- Palmitic acid is a major component of palm oil (44% of total fats) . Palmitic acid is also present in meat and dairy products (50–60% of total fats) , cocoa butter (26%) , and olive oil (8–20%) . Furthermore, palmitic acid is also present in breast milk with 20–30% of total fats.
- In our daily diet, the average intake of palmitic acid is around 20–30 g/day.
- Palmitic acid plays several important roles in many biological functions. An imbalance in their levels may cause atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
- Palmitic acid, in the form of sodium palmitate, is used to produce many cosmetic products by the saponification of palm oil.
- Palmitic acid and its sodium salt have wide use in the food industry. Sodium palmitate is used as a natural additive in organic products
So, the correct answer is, ‘Palmitic acid.’

Note: Due to an excessive intake of carbohydrates (in particular mono and disaccharides) , and a sedentary lifestyle, the palmitic acid concentration may be disrupted leading to an over-accumulation in tissues. This can result in dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and increased fat accumulation.