Which of the following statements about saturated fatty acids is correct?

• A. Saturated fatty acids have no $C=C$ double bonds between carbon atoms.
• B. Saturated fatty acids contain one or more $C=C$ double bonds.
• C. Saturated fatty acids are primarily found in plant oils.
• D. Saturated fatty acids are typically liquid at room temperature.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of saturated fatty acids: Saturated fatty acids are types of fatty acids that have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their hydrocarbon chain. This means all carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen atoms.
2. Analyze the statement: 'Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds between carbon atoms.' This statement aligns with the definition of saturated fatty acids, as they are fully saturated with hydrogen and contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.
3. Evaluate the statement: 'Saturated fatty acids contain one or more double bonds.' This is incorrect because the presence of double bonds would make the fatty acid unsaturated.
4. Consider the statement: 'Saturated fatty acids are primarily found in plant oils.' This is generally incorrect, as saturated fatty acids are more commonly found in animal fats and some tropical plant oils, like coconut oil, rather than in most plant oils.
5. Assess the statement: 'Saturated fatty acids are typically liquid at room temperature.' This is incorrect because saturated fatty acids are usually solid at room temperature due to their straight chain structure, which allows them to pack closely together.