NETA Personal Trainer Practice Exam

Unsaturated fats are known to be:

1. Solid at room temperature

2. Liquid at room temperature

3. High in cholesterol

4. Processed meats

The correct answer is: Liquid at room temperature

Unsaturated fats are primarily characterized by having one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which significantly influences their physical properties. At room temperature, unsaturated fats tend to remain liquid. This is because the double bonds in unsaturated fats create kinks in the fatty acid chains, preventing them from packing closely together. In contrast to saturated fats, which have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature due to their straight structure that allows for tight packing, unsaturated fats do not have this property. The liquid state at room temperature is typical of oils, such as olive oil and canola oil, which are rich in unsaturated fats. Cholesterol levels and the concept of processed meats apply more specifically to different types of fats and their sources. While it's true that some unsaturated fats can be found in certain processed foods, it is not defining for unsaturated fats themselves. Thus, the identification of unsaturated fats as liquid at room temperature is accurate and foundational in understanding dietary fats.