Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which type of fatty acid contains the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible?
A
Saturated fatty acid
B
Trans fatty acid
C
Polyunsaturated fatty acid
D
Monounsaturated fatty acid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of fatty acids: Fatty acids are carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains. They can be classified based on the presence and number of double bonds in their hydrocarbon chains.
Define saturated fatty acids: Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chains. This allows them to have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon skeleton.
Compare with unsaturated fatty acids: Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, which reduce the number of hydrogen atoms that can be attached. Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond, while polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple double bonds.
Consider trans fatty acids: Trans fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid where the hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond, but they still have fewer hydrogen atoms compared to saturated fatty acids.
Conclude that saturated fatty acids contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms possible, as they have no double bonds and are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen.