Question

triglycerides contain three fatty acid molecules and one glycerol molecule, there are different types of fatty acids. some fatty acids in triglycerides are saturated, which means they have a single chemical bond between carbon atoms. other fatty acids in triglycerides are unsaturated and have one or more double - bonded carbon atoms.

a fatty acid’s structure impacts its properties. the long, straight carbon chains of saturated fatty acids can pack tightly together. this arrangement results in a saturated fat that is solid at room temperature, like butter. the double - bonded carbon atoms in unsaturated fatty acids form a bend in the carbon chain. so they are less tightly packed. unsaturated fats tend to be liquids at room temperature, like olive oil.

the models show the chemical structures of two different fatty acids. stearic acid is a fatty acid found in the triglyceride stearin. oleic acid is a fatty acid found in the triglyceride triolein.

chemical structures of stearic acid and oleic acid

complete the table.

	stearin	triolein
is likely solid at room temperature
is likely liquid at room temperature
is an unsaturated fat

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the fatty acids in each triglyceride:

Step 1: Identify Fatty Acid Type (Saturated/Unsaturated)

• Stearin contains stearic acid (structure has only single C - C bonds → saturated fatty acid).
• Triolein contains oleic acid (structure has a double C = C bond → unsaturated fatty acid).

Step 2: Relate Fatty Acid Type to Physical State

• Saturated fats (like those with stearic acid) have straight chains, pack tightly, and are solid at room temperature.
• Unsaturated fats (like those with oleic acid) have bent chains, pack loosely, and are liquid at room temperature.

Complete the Table:

Property	stearin	triolein
is likely solid at room temperature	✔️	❌
is likely liquid at room temperature	❌	✔️
is an unsaturated fat	❌	✔️

(For each row, mark "✔️" if true, "❌" if false.)

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze the fatty acids in each triglyceride:

Step 1: Identify Fatty Acid Type (Saturated/Unsaturated)

• Stearin contains stearic acid (structure has only single C - C bonds → saturated fatty acid).
• Triolein contains oleic acid (structure has a double C = C bond → unsaturated fatty acid).

Step 2: Relate Fatty Acid Type to Physical State

• Saturated fats (like those with stearic acid) have straight chains, pack tightly, and are solid at room temperature.
• Unsaturated fats (like those with oleic acid) have bent chains, pack loosely, and are liquid at room temperature.

Complete the Table:

Property	stearin	triolein
is likely solid at room temperature	✔️	❌
is likely liquid at room temperature	❌	✔️
is an unsaturated fat	❌	✔️

(For each row, mark "✔️" if true, "❌" if false.)