Palmitic acid

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/palmitic-acid

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the IUPAC name?Hexadecanoic acid
2. What is the molecular formula?C16H32O2
3. Where does palmitic acid come from?It comes from palm oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and animal fats like meat, cheese, and butter.
4. How does palmitic acid help our bodies?Palmitic acid gives our cells energy, helps build cell membranes, and is used to make other fats.

Saturated Fatty Acid: A fatty acid with a hydrocarbon chain containing no carbon-carbon double bonds, leading to a straight, tightly packed structure.
Palmitoylation: A post-translational modification where palmitic acid is attached to a protein, influencing its function and localization.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): A type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; high levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.