Question

Saturated fats have all of the following characteristics

except:

a. they are solid at room temperature

b. they have single bonds within the carbon chain

c. they are usually obtained from animal sources

d. they tend to dissolve in water easily

Short answer

Saturated fats consist of non-polar hydrocarbon chains. Hence, they do not dissolve in water easily.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Saturated fats are fatty acid chains that have a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at the end of the hydrocarbon chain. The hydrocarbon chain gives saturated fats its non-polar character.

Explanation

The structure of saturated fats has no double bonds and is saturated with hydrogen atoms. The strong intermolecular forces cause the hydrocarbon chains to pack tightly and therefore saturated fats remain solid at room temperature. Hence, option a is incorrect.

Saturated fats do not have double bonds between the carbon atoms and hence are saturated with hydrogen atoms. As a result, there are only single bonds between the carbon atoms. Hence, option b is incorrect.

Saturated fats are obtained from animal products such as meat and dairy. Butter, ghee, cured meats, and cheese are some examples of saturated fats. They are solid at room temperature. Hence, option c is incorrect.

Saturated fats are composed of hydrocarbon chains that consist of either carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen single bonds. As hydrocarbon chains are nonpolar, they repel water and do not dissolve in water easily. Hence, option d is correct.