Chapter 23.4, Problem 24R

To determine

To explain: The difference between saturated and unsaturated fats and oils.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: Lipids are hydrocarbons insoluble in water but get dissolved in organic solvents.

The lipids found in animals is called fats and those found in plants are called oils.

Fats and oils are esters of fatty acids with glycerol.

A fat molecule contains three molecules of fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol.

Saturated fats and oils contain fatty acid chains without any double bond. They are “saturated” with hydrogen. Some of the sources of saturated fats are coconut oil, meats, milk and butter.

Unsaturated fats and oils contain fatty acid chains with one or more double bonds. For example, olive oils, canola oils, and vegetable oils.

Conclusion: Saturated fats and oils contain fatty acids with no double bonds, whereas, unsaturated fats contain fatty acids with one or more double bonds.