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Multiple Choice
Why are many unsaturated fats liquid at room temperature?
A
They have a higher number of double bonds, which create kinks in the fatty acid chains, preventing tight packing.
B
They are composed of trans fatty acids, which are naturally more fluid.
C
They contain more hydrogen atoms, which increase their fluidity.
D
They have longer carbon chains, which enhance their ability to remain liquid.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains. These double bonds introduce kinks or bends in the chain structure.
The kinks caused by the double bonds prevent the fatty acid chains from packing closely together. This loose packing results in a lower melting point.
At room temperature, the loose packing of unsaturated fats means they are more likely to be in a liquid state compared to saturated fats, which pack tightly and are solid.
The presence of double bonds is a key factor in determining the physical state of the fat at room temperature. More double bonds generally mean more kinks and greater fluidity.
Trans fatty acids, which are a type of unsaturated fat, have a different configuration that allows tighter packing, making them less fluid compared to cis unsaturated fats.