Textbook Question
Draw the line-angle formula for each of the following fatty acids:
a. palmitic acid
Ch.15 Lipids
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249
Not the one you use?Change textbookSelect a different textbook
Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives19
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy53
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements58
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions38
- Ch.8 Gases30
- Ch.9 Solutions50
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium64
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons77
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones82
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides91
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis86
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production73
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 10a
For each of the following fatty acids, give the shorthand notation for the number of carbon atoms and double bonds, and classify as saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated:
a. linoleic acid
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the shorthand notation for fatty acids. The shorthand notation is written as Cx:y, where 'x' represents the total number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain, and 'y' represents the number of double bonds in the chain.
Step 2: Recall the structure of linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is a fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms and 2 double bonds. Its chemical formula is C18H32O2.
Step 3: Write the shorthand notation for linoleic acid. Based on its structure, the shorthand notation is C18:2, where '18' is the number of carbon atoms and '2' is the number of double bonds.
Step 4: Classify the fatty acid. A fatty acid is classified as saturated if it has no double bonds, monounsaturated if it has one double bond, and polyunsaturated if it has two or more double bonds. Since linoleic acid has 2 double bonds, it is classified as a polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Step 5: Summarize the findings. Linoleic acid has the shorthand notation C18:2 and is classified as a polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Verified video answer for a similar problem:
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
4mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Fatty Acid Structure
Fatty acids are carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains. They can be classified based on the number of carbon atoms and the presence of double bonds. The shorthand notation typically includes the total number of carbon atoms followed by the number of double bonds, such as '18:2' for an 18-carbon fatty acid with 2 double bonds.
Recommended video:
Guided course
0:55
Fatty Acids Example 1
Saturation
Saturation refers to the presence or absence of double bonds in the fatty acid chain. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, while monounsaturated fatty acids contain one double bond, and polyunsaturated fatty acids have two or more. This classification affects the physical properties and health implications of the fatty acids.
Recommended video:
Guided course
0:57Saturated and Unsaturated Hydrocarbons Example 2
Linoleic Acid
Linoleic acid is a specific type of polyunsaturated fatty acid, commonly found in vegetable oils. It has 18 carbon atoms and 2 double bonds, denoted as '18:2'. As an essential fatty acid, it plays a crucial role in human health, particularly in cell membrane structure and function.
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:26Fatty Acids Concept 2
Related Practice
Textbook Question
What is the difference in the location of the first double bond in an omega-3 and an omega-6 fatty acid (see Chemistry Link to Health “Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Fish Oils”)?
Textbook Question
Stearic acid and linoleic acid each have 18 carbon atoms. Why does stearic acid melt at 69 °C but linoleic acid melts at –5 °C?
Textbook Question
For each of the following fatty acids, give the shorthand notation for the number of carbon atoms and double bonds, and classify as saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated:
a. lauric acid
Textbook Question
How does the double bond influence the dispersion forces that can form between the hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids?
Textbook Question
How does the structure of a fatty acid with a cis double bond differ from the structure of a fatty acid with a trans double bond?