Unit 1 Test

Question 15 • AP Biology - SC5182 A

Which of the following statements best describes why most animal fats are formed from saturated fatty acids?

Answer

The hydrocarbon chains of saturated fatty acids are straight so they can be tightly packed to store more energy in less space.

The hydrocarbon chains of saturated fat cannot pack together closely, which keeps the animal from becoming too large.

The hydrocarbon chains of saturated fatty acids allow fewer hydrogen atoms to bond, which makes the molecule stable for energy storage.

The hydrocarbon chains of saturated fatty acids have bends so they can be loosely packed to store more energy in less space.

Explanation

Saturated fatty acids have no carbon–carbon double bonds, so their hydrocarbon chains are relatively straight. The straight chains can pack closely together, allowing fats to store a large amount of energy in a compact space. Choice A describes this; choices B and D incorrectly describe the chains as unable to pack closely or as bent.

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