Biological Science (6th Edition)

Published by Benjamin Cummings
ISBN 10: 0321976495
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-649-9

Chapter 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells - Review - Case Study - Page 139: 12

Answer

Carbon-carbon bonds in fatty acid tails of saturated fats differ from those of unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are physically more fluid than saturated fats.

Work Step by Step

Saturated fats have only carbon-carbon single bonds in their fatty acid tails, whereas unsaturated fats have a few carbon-carbon double bonds. The carbon-carbon double bonds in unsaturated fats form a sharp twist in their chemical structure, making them more fluid than saturated fats. Also, because of the consistency in the structure, tails of saturated fats are straight without kinks, causing them to be packed together neatly and tightly.
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