Question

The glycerides in which saturated acid component predominate (has major effect in structures), at room temperature, are:

• A. fats as liquids
• B. fats as solids
• C. oils as solids
• D. oils as liquids

Answer 1

The correct option is B fats as solids

The glycerides in which saturated acid component predominate, at room temperature, are fats. The type of fatty acid present in a triglyceride influences its physical appearance. Fats are triglycerides containing saturated fatty acids and are solids at room temperature, while oils contain unsaturated fatty acids and are liquids at room temperature. This is a direct result of the packing ability of the triglycerides. Saturated chains can pack close together because there are no carbon-carbon double bonds to disrupt the linear nature of the chains. The result is a solid. Unsaturated chains are linked by a cis-conformation of the carbon-carbon double bond. This prevents unsaturated chains from packing closely together. The result is a liquid.