NANP Board Practice Exam 2025 - Free NANP Board Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

Fatty acids with 16 or more carbons are classified under which category?

LCFA

Fatty acids with 16 or more carbons are classified as long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). This classification is based on the carbon chain length of the fatty acids, where long-chain fatty acids are those that contain 12 to 22 carbon atoms. LCFAs play essential roles in energy provision, cellular structure, and hormonal functions within the body.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) typically consist of 6 to 12 carbon atoms, while short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are defined as having fewer than 6 carbon atoms. Very short-chain fatty acids (VSCFA) have an even shorter chain length, generally consisting of 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Thus, the classification for fatty acids with longer carbon chains is distinctly identified as LCFA, highlighting their unique metabolic pathways and physiological impacts in comparison to shorter-chain varieties.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

MCFA

SCFA

VSCFA

Next Question

Report this question

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy