What type of fats are liquid at room temperature and often found in plant oils?

The correct identification of fats that are liquid at room temperature and commonly found in plant oils is polyunsaturated fats. These fats contain multiple double bonds in their chemical structure, which prevents them from packing tightly together, resulting in a liquid state at room temperature.

Polyunsaturated fats are essential fats that the body cannot produce on its own, meaning they must be obtained through diet. They are beneficial for heart health and include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, typically found in oils such as soybean, sunflower, and corn oil, along with fatty fish.

In contrast, saturated fats have no double bonds and are typically solid at room temperature, commonly found in animal products and some tropical oils. Trans fats are artificially created through hydrogenation and are associated with negative health effects. Monounsaturated fats, while also liquid at room temperature, contain only one double bond and are primarily found in oils like olive oil and canola oil. Each type of fat plays a different role in health and nutrition, but polyunsaturated fats are specifically distinguished by their liquid state at room temperature and their presence in plant oils.