A scientist has isolated a fatty acid that has 26 carbons.Most of the carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain are connected by single bonds,except there is a double bond between the number 3 and 4 carbons as well as the number 9 and 10 carbons.The only other elements in the compound are hydrogen and oxygen.Based on this information,the compound is a _____ fatty acid.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A fatty acid with double bonds is unsaturated. Since there are two double bonds, it is polyunsaturated. The fact that most of the carbons are connected by single bonds means there are no other double bonds, so the fatty acid is not monounsaturated. There is no indication of hydroxylation or any other modification, so the fatty acid is not hydroxytransylated. Lastly, if all of the carbons were connected by single bonds, it would be a saturated fatty acid, but the presence of the two double bonds indicates that it is unsaturated.

A Scientist Has Isolated a Fatty Acid That Has 26