Question

Which of the following statements regarding fats is true?

• A. Arachidonic acid has $20$ carbons excluding the carbonyl carbon
• B. Glycerol is trihydroxy propane
• C. Palmitic acid has $18$ carbons including the carboxyl carbon
• D. Oils have higher melting point than fats
• E. Lipids are generally water soluble

Answer 1

The correct option is B Glycerol is trihydroxy propane

a) Arachidonic acid has 19 carbon excluding the carbonyl carbon. It is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. The statement is false.

b) Glycerol has chemical formula of CH${}_2$OH CHOH CH${}_2$OH. It has three hydroxy group at each carbon so they are known as trihydroxy. It is also known as propane as it has three carbon atom. The statement is true.

c) Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid. Its chemical formula is CH${}_3$(CH${}_2$)${}_{14}$COOH. Meat, cheese and diary products are the main source of the palmitic acid. It was first discovered in saponified palm oil. Excess carbohydrate in the body is converted into palmitic acid. It helps in building of specialized fats called omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The statement is false.

d) Fats are more saturated than oil so they have higher melting point. The statement is false.

e) Lipids are hydrophobic as they are non-polar molecules. The statement is false.

So, the correct answer is option B.