The R-group of a fatty acid may be saturated or unsaturated
Every fatty acid has a long hydrocarbon tail called the R-group. This tail is either saturated (contains only single bonds) or unsaturated (contains one or more double bonds between carbon atoms).
Real World
Olive oil, marketed by brands like Filippo Berio, is rich in oleic acid — a monounsaturated fatty acid with one C=C double bond — which is why it remains liquid at room temperature unlike saturated butter.
Exam Focus
When asked to distinguish saturated from unsaturated, always refer to the presence or absence of C=C double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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