A Level Biology Practice Exam

Which property of fats is true at room temperature?

1. They are always liquid

2. They are always solid

3. They can be either solid or liquid

4. They are always gaseous

The correct answer is: They can be either solid or liquid

Fats, also known as triglycerides, can exhibit both solid and liquid states at room temperature, which is influenced by their structure and composition. Saturated fats, which have no double bonds between carbon atoms, tend to be solid at room temperature due to their straight-chain structure that allows them to pack closely together. Conversely, unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds, resulting in kinks in their structure that prevent tight packing, causing them to be liquid at room temperature. This variability in states depends on factors such as the presence of double bonds and the length of the fatty acid chains. Therefore, the statement that fats can be either solid or liquid accurately reflects the diversity of fat types found in various foods and their behavior at room temperature, confirming the correctness of the selected answer.