Question 1

Which of the following best describes why fatty acids are considered amphipathic molecules?

Accepted Answer

They contain both a hydrophilic carboxylic acid head and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail.

Question 2

A fatty acid with the shorthand notation $$18:2 is $$best described as:

Accepted Answer

An unsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbons and 2 double bonds.

Question 3

Which of the following fatty acids would you expect to be most solid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Stearic acid (18:0)

Question 4

Which statement correctly distinguishes between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Saturated fatty acids contain only single bonds between carbons, while unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds.

Question 5

A fatty acid with its first double bond at the third carbon from the methyl end is classified as:

Accepted Answer

An omega-3 fatty acid

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct shorthand notation for arachidonic acid?

Accepted Answer

$$20:4$$

Question 7

If a fatty acid has the structure $$CH_3$$($$CH_2$$)_{14}COOH$$, what is its common name?

Accepted Answer

Palmitic acid

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the physical properties of fatty acids is correct?

Accepted Answer

The longer the hydrocarbon tail, the less soluble the fatty acid is in water.

Question 9

Which of the following best explains why unsaturated fatty acids tend to be liquid at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

The presence of double bonds introduces kinks, preventing tight packing of molecules.

Question 10

A fatty acid with the structure $$CH_3$$($$CH_2$$)_{16}COOH$$ is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Stearic acid

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct statement about omega-6 fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Their first double bond is located at the sixth carbon from the methyl end.

Question 12

Given the following fatty acid: $$CH_3$$($$CH_2)_7CH=CH$$($$CH_2)_7$$COOH$$, what is its shorthand notation?

Accepted Answer

$$18:1$$

Question 13

Which of the following fatty acids is polyunsaturated?

Accepted Answer

Linoleic acid ($$18:2)$$

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct order of increasing melting points for these fatty acids: stearic acid ($$18:0$$), oleic acid ($$18:1$$), linoleic acid ($$18:2$$)?

Accepted Answer

Linoleic acid \u003c Oleic acid \u003c Stearic acid

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the structure of myristic acid?

Accepted Answer

A saturated fatty acid with 14 carbons

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct condensed structural formula for lauric acid?

Accepted Answer

$$CH_3$$($$CH_2$$)_{10}COOH$$

Question 17

A patient is advised to increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Which of the following fatty acids should they consume more of?

Accepted Answer

Linolenic acid

Question 18

Which of the following statements about fatty acid shorthand notation is correct?

Accepted Answer

The first number indicates the number of carbons, and the second number indicates the number of double bonds.

Question 19

Which of the following fatty acids is most likely to be found in coconut oil, which is high in medium-chain saturated fatty acids?

Accepted Answer

Lauric acid ($$12:0)$$

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential in the human diet?

Accepted Answer

Humans cannot synthesize double bonds at the omega-3 position, so these fatty acids must be obtained from food.

Fatty Acids: Structure, Classification, and Nomenclature

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