Question

Which one of the following combination of all three fatty acids are essential for human beings?

• A. Oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid
• B. Palmitic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid
• C. Oleic acid, linoleic acid and arachidonic acid
• D. Linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid

Answer 1

The correct option is D Linoleic acid, linolenic acid and arachidonic acid

Essential fatty acids are those fatty acids which play an important role in the biological process and they can be metabolized easily. These acts as a fuel rather getting deposited as fat in the body. The human body cannot synthesize essential fatty acids. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature as they have double bonds. The essential fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid are unsaturated as they have double bonds. Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. It is present in the phospholipids and helps in the formation of membranes.

So, the correct answer is option D.