Which of the following is a short-chain fatty acid by carbon number?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a short-chain fatty acid by carbon number?

Explanation:
Short-chain fatty acids are defined by having only a few carbon atoms in their chain, typically 2 to 6 carbons. Butyric acid has four carbons, placing it in this short-chain category. Lauric, oleic, and stearic acids have longer chains—lauric with 12 carbons and oleic and stearic with 18 carbons—so they are long-chain fatty acids. The number of carbon atoms, not the presence of double bonds, determines the classification here.

Short-chain fatty acids are defined by having only a few carbon atoms in their chain, typically 2 to 6 carbons. Butyric acid has four carbons, placing it in this short-chain category. Lauric, oleic, and stearic acids have longer chains—lauric with 12 carbons and oleic and stearic with 18 carbons—so they are long-chain fatty acids. The number of carbon atoms, not the presence of double bonds, determines the classification here.

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