Polyunsaturated fatty acids

Question 1

Describe the carbons of a polyunsaturated fatty acid

Answer 1

All of the carbons do not have their full quota of hydrogens

Question 2

How many double bonds are present between the carbons of a polyunsaturated fatty acid?

Answer 2

There is more than one double bond present between the carbons

Question 3

What form do polyunsaturated fatty acids take at room temperature?

Answer 3

They are soft or liquid at room temperature

Question 4

Where do polyunsaturated fatty acids originate from?

Answer 4

Plant or marine sources

Question 5

What effect do polyunsaturated fatty acids have on health?

Answer 5

They do not contribute to the build up of cholesterol in the arteries

Question 6

Do polyunsaturated fatty acids have a high or low melting point?

Answer 6

Low melting point

Question 7

Give three examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids, their sources and the amount of double bonds they have between their carbons

Answer 7

Linoleic acid in vegetable oil (2 double bonds)

Linolenic acid in vegetable oil and seeds (3 double bonds)

Arachidonic acid in oily fish (4 double bonds)

Question 8

Give a structure of a polyunsaturated fatty acid

Answer 8

.......O  H         H        H  H
       ||   |           |           |   |
HO-C-C-C=C-C-C=C-C-H
           |    |    |  |   |    |   |
          H  H  H H H  H H