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Multiple Choice
Which of the following fatty acids has the highest level of saturation?
A
Palmitoleic acid
B
Stearic acid
C
Linoleic acid
D
Oleic acid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of saturation in fatty acids: Saturation refers to the presence of single bonds between carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain. A saturated fatty acid has no double bonds, while unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.
Identify the structure of each fatty acid: Palmitoleic acid, Oleic acid, and Linoleic acid are unsaturated fatty acids, meaning they contain double bonds. Stearic acid is a saturated fatty acid, meaning it contains no double bonds.
Compare the number of double bonds: Palmitoleic acid has one double bond, Oleic acid has one double bond, Linoleic acid has two double bonds, and Stearic acid has no double bonds.
Determine the level of saturation: The fatty acid with the highest level of saturation is the one with the fewest or no double bonds. Since Stearic acid has no double bonds, it is fully saturated.
Conclude which fatty acid is the most saturated: Based on the comparison, Stearic acid is the most saturated fatty acid among the options provided.