Which of the following is an omega-3 fatty acid?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an omega-3 fatty acid?

Explanation:
The omega designation comes from where the first double bond appears relative to the methyl end of a fatty acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is the omega-3 fatty acid because its first double bond is three carbons from that end. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are omega-6 fatty acids, with their first double bonds six carbons from the end. Palmitic acid is saturated, meaning it has no double bonds at all. So the one that fits as omega-3 is alpha-linolenic acid. It’s also an essential fatty acid found in many plant sources.

The omega designation comes from where the first double bond appears relative to the methyl end of a fatty acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is the omega-3 fatty acid because its first double bond is three carbons from that end. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are omega-6 fatty acids, with their first double bonds six carbons from the end. Palmitic acid is saturated, meaning it has no double bonds at all. So the one that fits as omega-3 is alpha-linolenic acid. It’s also an essential fatty acid found in many plant sources.

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