Question

Non-essential fatty acid is:
A) Linoleic acid
B) Linolenic acid
C) Stearic acid
D) Arachidonic acid

Answer 1

Hint: Fatty acid is an element that is very important for the body. However, it is not made in the body but can be obtained from food. Many fatty acids are necessary to keep the balance of our body. Fatty acids are organic acids. Fatty acids are also called Vitamin F in simple language.
Simultaneously, fatty acids make such bacteria in the body that help in digestion.

Complete Answer:
- Fatty acids are the building blocks of fat in our bodies and in the food we eat. During digestion, the body breaks down fats into fatty acids, which can then be absorbed into the blood. Fatty acid molecules are usually joined together in groups of three, forming a molecule called “triglyceride”. Triglycerides are also made in our bodies from the Carbohydrates that we eat.
- Fatty acids have many functions in the body including energy storage. If glucose (a type of sugar) is not available for energy, the body uses fatty acids to fuel the cells instead.
- Fatty acids are vital for the normal operation of all body systems.
- The term essential fatty acid refers to a fatty acid which the body cannot manufacture, and must obtain from dietary sources.
They fall into two categories –
1. Omega-3
2. Omega-6
The 3 and 6 refer to the position of the first carbon double bond and the omega refers to the Methyl end of the chain.

Essential fatty acids are:
→Linoleic acid
→Linolenic acid
→Arachidonic acid

- Some excellent sources of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty 2 acids are fish, flaxseed oil, hemp, walnuts and leafy vegetables. Because these essential fatty acids are easily accessible, essential fatty acid deficiency is extremely rare.
- On the other hand, the body is capable of synthesizing most of the fatty acids it needs from food. These fatty acids are known as non-essential fatty acids. Non-essential fatty acid might be stored throughout the body underneath the skin.

Some example of Non-essential fatty acids:-
→Caproic acid
→Stearic acid
→Lauric acid
→Arachidic acid
→ Myristic acid
→Lignoceric acid
→ Palmitic acid

Hence the correct answer will be stearic acid, which is option (C).

Note: The Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid. The chemical formula of stearic acid is $C_{18}H_{36}O_2$. It is also called Octadecanoic Acid. It is used to form the base of ingredients and also used in shampoos, shaving creams and detergents.