Structure of fats and fatty acids

Overview

Triglycerides, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, cis and trans bonds, omega numbering, chain length, hydrogenation and rancidity.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is a triglyceride?

   Model answer

   A triglyceride is one glycerol molecule joined to three fatty acids. Most of the fat in food and in the body is triglyceride.

2. 2

   How are fatty acids joined to glycerol?

   Model answer

   Each fatty acid is joined to glycerol by an ester bond. The reaction is a condensation that releases one molecule of water for each bond formed.

3. 3

   Describe the basic structure of a fatty acid.

   Model answer

   A fatty acid is a chain of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. A carboxyl group sits at one end of the chain and a methyl group at the other.

4. 4

   What is a saturated fatty acid?

   Model answer

   A saturated fatty acid has no carbon-to-carbon double bonds. Every carbon in the chain carries as many hydrogen atoms as it can hold.

5. 5

   What is a monounsaturated fatty acid?

   Model answer

   A monounsaturated fatty acid has one carbon-to-carbon double bond in its chain. Oleic acid, found in olive oil, is the commonest example.

6. 6

   What is a polyunsaturated fatty acid?

   Model answer

   A polyunsaturated fatty acid has two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds. Linoleic acid, found in sunflower oil, is an example.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.