NANP Board Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of saturated fatty acids?

1. Contain double bonds between carbon atoms

2. Holding all the hydrogen they can

3. Little interaction with other molecules in the body

4. Stabilize cell membranes

The correct answer is: Contain double bonds between carbon atoms

The distinguishing characteristic of saturated fatty acids is that they contain no double bonds between carbon atoms; instead, they are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. This structure allows saturated fatty acids to hold all the hydrogen they can. In contrast, the presence of double bonds is a defining feature of unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, saturated fatty acids tend to have greater interaction with other molecules in the body compared to unsaturated types, influencing various biological functions. Their unique structure also plays a role in stabilizing cell membranes, which is essential for maintaining cellular integrity. Therefore, the correct response highlights that saturated fatty acids do not contain any double bonds, making option A the accurate choice.