Which of the following is true of unsaturated fats?
a. They are more common in animals than in plants.
b. They have double bonds in their fatty acid chains.
c. They generally solidify at room temperature.
d. They contain more hydrogen than do saturated fats having the same number of carbon atoms.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of unsaturated fats: Unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which affects their physical properties.

Compare unsaturated and saturated fats: Saturated fats have no double bonds and are fully 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms, while unsaturated fats have fewer hydrogen atoms due to the presence of double bonds.

Analyze the options: Option b states that unsaturated fats have double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which aligns with the definition of unsaturated fats.

Consider the physical state: Unsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature due to the kinks in their chains caused by double bonds, which prevent tight packing.

Evaluate the common sources: Unsaturated fats are more commonly found in plants and fish, whereas saturated fats are more prevalent in animal products.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unsaturated Fats

Unsaturated fats are a type of fat found primarily in plants and fish. They contain one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which prevent them from packing tightly and solidifying at room temperature. This structural difference makes them liquid at room temperature, unlike saturated fats.

Double Bonds in Fatty Acids

Double bonds in fatty acid chains are characteristic of unsaturated fats. These bonds create kinks in the chain, preventing the molecules from packing closely together, which is why unsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature. The presence of double bonds also affects the chemical properties and health benefits of these fats.

Hydrogen Saturation

Hydrogen saturation refers to the number of hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atoms in a fatty acid chain. Saturated fats have the maximum number of hydrogen atoms, while unsaturated fats have fewer due to the presence of double bonds. This difference in hydrogen saturation influences the physical state and health implications of the fats.