Which of the following is a saturated fatty acid?

Options

A. Oleic acid
B. Linoleic acid
C. Arachidonic acid
D. Palmitic acid

Answer

To determine which of the following is a saturated fatty acid, we need to understand the definitions and characteristics of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Types of Fatty Acids**:
- Fatty acids can be classified into two main types: saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids.
- **Saturated fatty acids** have no double bonds between the carbon atoms. This allows them to be tightly packed together, which is why they are typically solid at room temperature.
- **Unsaturated fatty acids** contain one or more double bonds in their structure, which creates kinks in the fatty acid chain, preventing tight packing and making them liquid at room temperature.

2. **Analyze the Given Options**:
- The options provided are:
- Oleic acid
- Linoleic acid
- Arachidonic acid
- Palmitic acid

3. **Identify the Nature of Each Option**:
- **Oleic Acid**: This is an unsaturated fatty acid, as it contains one double bond.
- **Linoleic Acid**: This is also an unsaturated fatty acid, specifically an omega-6 fatty acid with two double bonds.
- **Arachidonic Acid**: This is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, meaning it has multiple double bonds.
- **Palmitic Acid**: This is a saturated fatty acid, as it has no double bonds in its structure.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options, the only saturated fatty acid is **Palmitic Acid**.

### Final Answer:
**Palmitic Acid** is the saturated fatty acid.