Biomolecules Question 94
Question: All the following statements are true with regard to coconut oil, except:
Options:
A) it is composed of medium chain triglycerides.
B) it contains mainly saturated fatty acids.
C) has a higher iodine number than human fat.
D) contains cholesterol.
Show Answer
Answer:
Correct Answer: D
Solution:
The correct answer is D) contains cholesterol.
Here’s why:
Coconut oil is known for its unique composition:
A) it is composed of medium chain triglycerides. This is true. Coconut oil is composed of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of fat that is metabolized differently than the long-chain triglycerides found in most other foods.
B) it contains mainly saturated fatty acids. This is also true. Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, which is why it remains solid at room temperature.
C) has a higher iodine number than human fat. This is true. The iodine number is a measure of the degree of unsaturation of a fat or oil, and coconut oil has a higher iodine number than human fat, indicating that it has more sites of unsaturation.
D) contains cholesterol. This is false. Plant-based oils, including coconut oil, do not contain cholesterol.
Cholesterol is found in animal products, not plant products. So, coconut oil does not contain cholesterol, making option D the correct answer.
This is a common misconception as the high saturated fat content of coconut oil often leads people to assume it must also contain cholesterol. However, cholesterol is only found in animal-derived fats. Plant-based oils, such as coconut oil, are cholesterol-free. So, while coconut oil is high in saturated fat, it does not contain cholesterol. Hence, the statement D is not true with regard to coconut oil.
BETA
