Question

Which of the following is a saturated fatty acid?
(a) Oleic acid
(b) Linoleic acid
(c) Arachidonic acid
(d) Palmitic acid

Answer 1

Hint: Saturated fatty acid implies that all bonds of the fatty acid are saturated with hydrogen or other functional groups. Saturated fatty acids have a particular state and a melting point range different from unsaturated fatty acids.

Complete answer:
- Fatty acids are classified as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids depending on the presence of carbon double bonds. Saturated fatty acids are fatty acid chains that have only single bonds while unsaturated fatty acids have at least one double bond present in the chain.

- Saturated fatty acids have higher melting points and are solids at room temperature. The comm formula is ${ CH }_{ 3 }(CH_{ 2 })_{ n }{ COOH }$ with variations in ‘n’.
- Examples of saturated fatty acids include stearic acid and palmitic acid. Most animal fats also are included under saturated fatty acids.
- Palmitic acid is found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. The molecular formula is ${ CH }_{ 3 }(CH_{ 2 })_{ 14 }COOH$.

Additional information:
- Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid and arachidonic and linoleic acid are polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- Unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points and are liquids at room temperature.
- Other examples of unsaturated fatty acids include myristoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, elaidic acid, etc.
So, the correct answer is ‘(d) Palmitic acid’.

Note: - Palmitic acid is also known as hexadecanoic acid.
- Foods in a regular diet contain both saturated and unsaturated fats. Processed foods, especially those deep-fried in hydrogenated oils, contain a large number of saturated fats.
- Many disorders are linked to the overconsumption of saturated fats in food.