Linoleic acid belongs to which fatty acid category?

Linoleic acid belongs to which fatty acid category?

• A. Omega-6
• B. Omega-3
• C. Trans fat
• D. Saturated fat

Answer: (A)

The concept here is how fatty acids are labeled by the position of their first double bond from the omega (methyl) end. Linoleic acid has its first double bond six carbons from that end, making it an omega-6 fatty acid. It’s a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid (18 carbons with two cis double bonds) found in many vegetable oils. This contrasts with omega-3 fatty acids, which have the first double bond three carbons from the omega end, and with saturated fats (no double bonds) and trans fats (double bonds in the trans configuration).

The concept here is how fatty acids are labeled by the position of their first double bond from the omega (methyl) end. Linoleic acid has its first double bond six carbons from that end, making it an omega-6 fatty acid. It’s a polyunsaturated essential fatty acid (18 carbons with two cis double bonds) found in many vegetable oils. This contrasts with omega-3 fatty acids, which have the first double bond three carbons from the omega end, and with saturated fats (no double bonds) and trans fats (double bonds in the trans configuration).