Which of the following is a characteristic of saturated fats?

Saturated fats are characterized by their chemical structure, which consists of fatty acid chains that are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. This structure leads to the molecules being more stable and allowing them to pack closely together, which is why they tend to be solid at room temperature. This is in contrast to unsaturated fats, which have one or more double bonds in their structure, resulting in kinks that prevent tight packing and keeping them liquid at room temperature.

The other choices do not accurately describe saturated fats. They are typically found in animal products and some plant sources but are not predominantly found in plant oils, which are usually sources of unsaturated fats. Moreover, saturated fats do not effectively lower cholesterol; in fact, a high intake of saturated fats is associated with increased levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which can elevate the risk for heart disease. Understanding these characteristics is essential for nutritional science and making informed decisions about dietary choices.