Linoleic acid is commonly known as which Omega fatty acid?

Linoleic acid is commonly known as which Omega fatty acid?

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

Answer: (A)

Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid. The omega designation comes from the position of the first double bond when you count from the methyl end of the fatty acid molecule. For linoleic acid, that first double bond is six carbons away from the end, so it’s classified as omega-6 (n-6). It’s also an essential fatty acid in humans, meaning we must obtain it from our diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, like alpha-linolenic acid, have their first double bond at the third carbon from the omega end. Trans fats have a trans configuration around the double bond, and saturated fats have no double bonds at all. So linoleic acid fits best as omega-6.

Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid. The omega designation comes from the position of the first double bond when you count from the methyl end of the fatty acid molecule. For linoleic acid, that first double bond is six carbons away from the end, so it’s classified as omega-6 (n-6). It’s also an essential fatty acid in humans, meaning we must obtain it from our diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids, like alpha-linolenic acid, have their first double bond at the third carbon from the omega end. Trans fats have a trans configuration around the double bond, and saturated fats have no double bonds at all. So linoleic acid fits best as omega-6.