A dehydration synthesis reaction between glycerol and a single fatty acid would yield a(n)
(a) Micelle
(b) Omega-3 fatty acid
(c) Triglyceride
(d) Monoglyceride
(e) Diglyceride

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Understand the components involved: glycerol is a three-carbon molecule with three hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and a fatty acid is a long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl (-COOH) group.

Recall that a dehydration synthesis reaction involves the removal of a water molecule (H₂O) when two molecules are joined together, typically between a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group forming an ester bond.

Since glycerol has three hydroxyl groups, it can form up to three ester bonds with fatty acids. When only one fatty acid is attached to glycerol via one ester bond, the product is called a monoglyceride.

Review the definitions of the answer choices: a triglyceride has three fatty acids attached, a diglyceride has two, and a monoglyceride has one fatty acid attached to glycerol.

Conclude that the dehydration synthesis between glycerol and a single fatty acid yields a monoglyceride.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Dehydration Synthesis Reaction

Dehydration synthesis is a chemical reaction where two molecules join together by removing a water molecule. In biological systems, this process commonly links fatty acids to glycerol, forming ester bonds and creating larger molecules like lipids.

Glycerol and Fatty Acids Structure

Glycerol is a three-carbon molecule with hydroxyl groups, while fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxyl group. When combined, fatty acids attach to glycerol’s hydroxyl groups through ester bonds, forming different types of glycerides depending on the number of fatty acids attached.

Types of Glycerides

Glycerides are lipids formed by esterification of glycerol with fatty acids. A monoglyceride has one fatty acid attached, a diglyceride has two, and a triglyceride has three. The number of fatty acids determines the molecule’s structure and function in biological systems.

A dehydration synthesis reaction between glycerol and a single fatty acid would yield a(n)(a) Micelle(b) Omega-3 fatty acid(c) Triglyceride(d) Monoglyceride(e) Diglyceride