In fatty acids, the carbon tail can be joined by single or double bonds.

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Multiple Choice

In fatty acids, the carbon tail can be joined by single or double bonds.

Fatty acid tails are hydrocarbon chains, so their carbon atoms are linked by covalent bonds that can be single or double. When all the bonds are single, the chain is saturated, allowing it to pack tightly and generally leading to higher melting points. If there are one or more double bonds, the chains are unsaturated; cis double bonds create kinks that prevent tight packing, making the fats more fluid and usually liquid at room temperature. Since the carbon tail can be joined by either type of bond, the correct description is that it can have single or double bonds.

Fatty acid tails are hydrocarbon chains, so their carbon atoms are linked by covalent bonds that can be single or double. When all the bonds are single, the chain is saturated, allowing it to pack tightly and generally leading to higher melting points. If there are one or more double bonds, the chains are unsaturated; cis double bonds create kinks that prevent tight packing, making the fats more fluid and usually liquid at room temperature. Since the carbon tail can be joined by either type of bond, the correct description is that it can have single or double bonds.

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