Question

The diagram shows a type of lipid.
3 straight chains of 12 carbon atoms are shown. 2 oxygen atoms are at the end of each row and connect the carbon atoms to a row of 3 carbon atoms. Each carbon atom is attached to hydrogen atoms.

Which type of lipid is shown?
a saturated phospholipid
a saturated triglyceride
an unsaturated phospholipid
an unsaturated triglyceride

Answer 1

A saturated triglyceride would be shown in this case. A saturated fatty acid is one that is "saturated" with hydrogen atoms and has straight fatty acid chains. Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds rather than being bonded to hydrogen atoms which result in kinks in the fatty acid chains.