Which of the following fatty acids is considered saturated?

• A. Oleic acid
• B. Linoleic acid
• C. Stearic acid
• D. Linolenic acid

Answer: (C)

Stearic acid is recognized as a saturated fatty acid because its chemical structure contains no double bonds between the carbon atoms. Saturated fatty acids are characterized by having the maximum number of hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon chain, making them solid at room temperature in most cases.

In contrast, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are all unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic acid has one double bond, while linoleic acid contains two double bonds, and linolenic acid contains three double bonds. The presence of these double bonds affects their physical properties and their classification as unsaturated fats.