Question

Which of the following fatty add is on synthesized in the human body?

• A. Glycerol
• B. Cholesterol
• C. Linoleic acid
• D. Both (a) and (b)

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Plants can synthesize all fatty acids except arachidonic acid. The body cells of all mammals can synthesize the various fatty acids except Linoleic and Linolenic acid, which can be obtained only from food. Thus, these fatty acids are called essential fatty acids.
Glycerol (propane $1,2,3$-triol) is a trihydric alcohol, $HOC{H}_{2}CN(OH)C{H}_{2}OH$. It is a colourless sweet tasting viscous liquid, miscible with water but insoluble in ether. It is widely distributed in all living organisms as a constituent of the glyceride. It is used as an antiflage molecule by certain organisms.
Cholesterol $\left(C_{27}{H}_{45}OH\right)$ is a tasteless and odourless white crystalline compound found in animals only. Its molecule consists of a hydrocarbon side chain of eight carbon linked to $C_{17}$ of a steroid nucleus.