Date | May 2019 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 19M.3.hl.TZ1.10 |
Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
Command term | Deduce | Question number | 10 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The main fatty acid composition of cocoa butter and coconut oil is detailed below.
The melting points of cocoa butter and coconut oil are 34 °C and 25 °C respectively.
Explain this in terms of their saturated fatty acid composition.
Fats contain triglycerides that are esters of glycerol and fatty acids. Deduce an equation for the acid hydrolysis of the following triglyceride.
The addition of partially hydrogenated cocoa butter to chocolate increases its melting point and the content of trans-fatty acids (trans-fats).
Outline one effect of trans-fatty acids on health.
Markscheme
coconut oil has higher content of lauric/short-chain «saturated» fatty acids
OR
cocoa butter has higher content of stearic/palmitic/longer chain «saturated» fatty acids [✔]
longer chain fatty acids have greater surface area/larger electron cloud [✔]
stronger London/dispersion/instantaneous dipole-induced dipole forces «between triglycerides of longer chain saturated fatty acids» [✔]
Note: Do not accept arguments that relate to melting points of saturated and unsaturated fats.
correct products [✔]
correctly balanced [✔]
Any one of:
«increased risk of» coronary/heart disease [✔]
«increased risk of» stroke [✔]
«increased risk of» atherosclerosis [✔]
«increased risk of type-2» diabetes [✔]
increase in LDL cholesterol [✔]
decrease in HDL cholesterol [✔]
«increased risk of» obesity [✔]
Examiners report
Candidates had difficulty explaining the melting points of fats in terms of length of carbon chain, and referred instead to an explanation of saturated and unsaturated fat structures.
Quite a few candidates had no idea how to write an equation for the acid hydrolysis of a given triglyceride. Many struggled with the structure or molecular formula of glycerol. Some created products of (R-O-CO-OH)3 and alkanes, even though the question told them that triglycerides are esters of glycerol and fatty acids. Some got the products almost correct but wrote O-H-CO-R for the fatty acid so failed to score the first mark. Some forgot to balance the equation.
Outlining an effect of trans-fatty acids on health was generally answered well, with only a few vague answers.