Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• (1) (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
• (2) (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
• (3) (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV)
• (4) (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)

  The correct answer is option (4): (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II).

  This matching question tests saturated fatty acid nomenclature by carbon chain length, fundamental for GATE Life Sciences lipid biochemistry.

  Matching Explanations

  (A) Stearic acid → (I) n-octadecanoic acid

  Stearic acid = C18:0 (18 carbons), systematic name n-octadecanoic acid (octadeca = 18).

  (B) Palmitic acid → (IV) n-hexadecanoic acid

  Palmitic acid = C16:0 (16 carbons), systematic name n-hexadecanoic acid (hexadeca = 16).

  (C) Myristic acid → (III) n-tetradecanoic acid

  Myristic acid = C14:0 (14 carbons), systematic name n-tetradecanoic acid (tetradeca = 14).

  (D) Lauric acid → (II) n-dodecanoic acid

  Lauric acid = C12:0 (12 carbons), systematic name n-dodecanoic acid (dodeca = 12).

  Carbon count mnemonic: Lau(12)-Myr(14)-Palm(16)-Stear(18)

  Option Analysis

  Option	A-I	B-IV	C-III	D-II	Correct?
  (1)	✗	✗	✓	✗	No
  (2)	✓	✗	✓	✗	No
  (3)	✗	✗	✗	✗	No
  (4)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Yes

  Only option (4) matches systematic IUPAC names to common fatty acid names by carbon atoms.

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  Saturated Fatty Acid Nomenclature

  Stearic palmitic myristic lauric acid systematic names matching tests lipid chemistry carbon chain length knowledge essential for GATE Life Sciences. Master C12-C18 saturated fatty acids: Lau12-Myr14-Palm16-Stear18 pattern.

  Stearic Acid: C18 n-Octadecanoic Acid

  Stearic acid (C17H35COOH) from animal fats, highest melting point (69°C) among these.

  Palmitic Acid: C16 n-Hexadecanoic Acid

  Palmitic acid (C15H31COOH), most common saturated fatty acid in palm oil, cell membranes.

  Myristic Acid: C14 n-Tetradecanoic Acid

  Myristic acid (C13H27COOH) from nutmeg, dairy; myristoylation modifies proteins.

  Lauric Acid: C12 n-Dodecanoic Acid

  Lauric acid (C11H23COOH), coconut oil; medium-chain for rapid metabolism.

  Quick Exam Reference Table

  Common Name	Carbons	IUPAC Name	Formula
  Lauric	12	n-Dodecanoic	C11H23COOH
  Myristic	14	n-Tetradecanoic	C13H27COOH
  Palmitic	16	n-Hexadecanoic	C15H31COOH
  Stearic	18	n-Octadecanoic	C17H35COOH

  Memory trick: Little Mice Prefer Steaks (12-14-16-18)**