Question

what is the effect of double bonds (unsaturation) on the physical properties of fatty acids? tell...

what is the effect of double bonds (unsaturation) on the physical properties of fatty acids? tell what the effect is, then briefly explain why/how the double bonds have this effect

0 0
Add a comment Improve this question Transcribed image text
Answer #1

Smaller the hydrocarbon chain and more the no. Of unsaturation in cis configuration causes decrease in melting point of fatty acids. As cis configuration cause the fatty acid to bend and form kink , which decrease the force of attraction between the fatty acids.

Double bonds in unsaturated fats cause kinks in fatty acid chain which prevent the molecules from packing closely together to form a solid at room temperature, so such fats are liquid in room temperature .

Short chain length and unsaturation enhance the fluidity of fatty acids and of their derivatives.

The more double bonds the chain has in the CIS configuration, the less flexibility it has.The effect of this is that, in restricted environments, such as when fatty acids are part of a phospholipid in a lipid bilayer, or triglycerides in lipid droplets, cis bonds limit the ability of fatty acids to be closely packed, and therefore can affect the melting temperature of the membrane or of the fat.

A TRANS configuration, by contrast, means that the adjacent two hydrogen atoms lie on opposite sides of the chain. As a result, they do not cause the chain to bend much, and their shape is similar to straight saturated fatty acids.

Add a comment
Know the answer?
Add Answer to:
what is the effect of double bonds (unsaturation) on the physical properties of fatty acids? tell...
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for? Ask your own homework help question. Our experts will answer your question WITHIN MINUTES for Free.
Similar Homework Help Questions
  • What is the significance of where double bonds are on fatty acids… and why it is...

    What is the significance of where double bonds are on fatty acids… and why it is different between humans and bacteria

  • Monounsaturated fatty acids have a single double bond. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple double bonds. Which...

    Monounsaturated fatty acids have a single double bond. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have multiple double bonds. Which of the following statements is true? A. Monounsaturated fatty acids store more energy than polyunsaturated fatty acids. B. Polyunsaturated fatty acids store more energy than monounsaturated fatty acids. C. Polyunsaturated fats have a lower melting point than monounsaturated fatty acids. D. Monounsaturated fats have a lower melting point than polyunsaturated fatty acids.

  • Which property/properties is/are characteristic of the most abundant fatty acids found in plants and animals? I...

    Which property/properties is/are characteristic of the most abundant fatty acids found in plants and animals? I The trans isomer predominates. II. Trans fatty acids are the result of reversible catalytic hydrogenation. III. The unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than the corresponding saturated acids. IV. The greater the degree of unsaturation the lower is the melting point. OLI Ou OLIV Org

  • Omega-6 fatty acids are: O A form of saturated fatty acids O Contain a double bond...

    Omega-6 fatty acids are: O A form of saturated fatty acids O Contain a double bond at the third omega carbon O Synthesized in the liver Help to regulate the constriction of blood vessels Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are both polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential to the human body. However, along with the chemical structures previously discussed, there are additional differences between the two essential fatty acids (EFAs). In the table, choose whether each statement concerns omega-3 or...

  • Membrane lipids have fatty acid tails and, like triacylglycerols, their properties are governed by the properties...

    Membrane lipids have fatty acid tails and, like triacylglycerols, their properties are governed by the properties of these tails. Based on what we saw with dietary lipids, which membrane would have more fluid characteristics – the one with more saturated fatty acids or the one with more unsaturated fatty acids? Explain your reasoning. Look at the structure of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a necessary component of biological membranes. What do you think cholesterol would do to the structure of a membrane...

  • 15. The process by which double-bonds in unsaturated fatty acids are converted to single bonds is...

    15. The process by which double-bonds in unsaturated fatty acids are converted to single bonds is termed . The 16. Fatty acids are linked to glycerol by a reaction known as opposite chemical process is termed 17. True / False Micelles are lipid bilayers and differ from the phospholipid bilayer of cell membranes only in scale. 18. Triglycerides and even more so phospholipids contain a polar head and a nonpolar tail that results in dual polar-nonpolar nature. These compounds are...

  • Unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than saturated fatty acids because A. they have fewer...

    Unsaturated fatty acids have lower melting points than saturated fatty acids because A. they have fewer hydrogen atoms B. They have more hydrogen atoms C. their molecules fit closely together D. the cis double bonds give them an irregular shape E. the trans double bonds give them an irregular shape

  • Catalytic hydrogenation, used in the food industry, converts double bonds in the fatty acids of vegetable...

    Catalytic hydrogenation, used in the food industry, converts double bonds in the fatty acids of vegetable oil triacylglycerols to -CH2-CH2-. Identify statements that correctly describe characteristics of catalytically hydrogenated food oils. □ □ □ Partially hydrogenated oils may cause health risks due to the presence of trans fats. Hydrogenating oils reduces shelf-life but creates a good source of healthy fats. Catalytic hydrogenation reduces double bonds, increasing melting temperature. Catalytic hydrogenation oxidizes double bonds, decreasing melting temperature. Catalytic hydrogenation combats the...

  • To make longer fatty acids, cells use enzymes called a To make unsaturated double bonds, cells...

    To make longer fatty acids, cells use enzymes called a To make unsaturated double bonds, cells use enzymes called a) Desaturases, b) elongases a) Elongases, b) desaturases a) Saturases, b) elongases O a) Elongases, b) saturases

  • 35. Omega-3 fatty acids have their first double bond at the _______ carbon

    35. Omega-3 fatty acids have their first double bond at the _______ carbon, while omega-6 fatty acids have their first double bond at the _______  carbon.a. first; secondb. second; thirdc. third; sixthd. sixth; third36. Glycerol can be converted to carbohydrate througha. gluconeogenesisb. beta oxidationC. glycogenesisd. oxidative phosphorylation37. Why do plant-based fats (oils) tend to be liquid at room temperature, unlike animal fats, which are solid at room temperature?a. Because plant-based oils have higher unsaturated fatty acid contentb. Because plant-based oils...

ADVERTISEMENT
Free Homework Help App
Download From Google Play
Scan Your Homework
to Get Instant Free Answers
Need Online Homework Help?
Ask a Question
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 3 hours.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT