Stearic acid is an example of which fatty acid classification?

Stearic acid is an example of which fatty acid classification?

• A. Very long chain fatty acid with 20+ carbons
• B. Medium chain fatty acid with 12 carbons
• C. Long chain fatty acid with 18 carbons
• D. Short chain fatty acid with 4 carbons

Answer: (C)

Grouping fatty acids by carbon chain length is what this item tests. Stearic acid has 18 carbons, which places it in the long-chain fatty acid category, since long-chain typically spans about 14 to 18 carbons. Short-chain fatty acids are around 4 carbons, medium-chain around 6–12, and very long-chain would be 20 or more. The fact that stearic acid is saturated is a separate property and doesn’t change its chain-length classification, though it influences its physical characteristics.

Grouping fatty acids by carbon chain length is what this item tests. Stearic acid has 18 carbons, which places it in the long-chain fatty acid category, since long-chain typically spans about 14 to 18 carbons. Short-chain fatty acids are around 4 carbons, medium-chain around 6–12, and very long-chain would be 20 or more. The fact that stearic acid is saturated is a separate property and doesn’t change its chain-length classification, though it influences its physical characteristics.