Which statement best explains why linoleic acid (LA) is considered essential in the human diet?

Because LA is a saturated fatty acid necessary for maintaining membrane rigidity and cannot be obtained from plants

Because LA is efficiently converted into DHA in humans, so dietary LA is sufficient to meet DHA needs even without fish consumption

Because LA is the only lipid used to synthesize cholesterol in the liver and must be consumed daily in large amounts

Because humans cannot synthesize the double bond at the omega‑6 position and LA serves as a dietary precursor for arachidonic acid and downstream eicosanoids