Subject: Biology 0 Likes
Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference
Which of the following statements correctly describes the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
A) Saturated fats tend to be solid at room temperature; unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
B) Saturated fats are cannot pack together closely because of their bent structure; unsaturated fats can pack together because they are flat.
C) Saturated fats come from plants and fish; unsaturated fats are from animals (except fish).
D) Saturated fats are considered “healthy” fats; unsaturated fats may contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Solution
Correct answer: A) Saturated fats tend to be solid at room temperature; unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature.
Saturated fats have a straight chain of carbon atoms, which allows them to pack closely together and form a solid at room temperature. Unsaturated fats, on the other hand, have one or more double bonds in their carbon chain, which creates a kink or bend in the molecule. This bent structure prevents them from packing closely together, resulting in a liquid state at room temperature.
Note that statement B is partially correct, but it's not the best answer. Unsaturated fats do have a bent structure, but the main difference is the physical state (solid vs. liquid) at room temperature, as described in answer A.
Subject: Biology
Related topics: Biochemistry, Nutrition