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Multiple Choice
Fatty acids are a component of what type of macromolecule?
A
Lipids
B
Nucleic acids
C
Carbohydrates
D
Proteins
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the basic types of macromolecules: lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Recognize that fatty acids are long hydrocarbon chains with a carboxylic acid group at one end. This structure is characteristic of lipids.
Recall that lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules, which include fats, oils, waxes, and steroids. Fatty acids are key components of triglycerides and phospholipids, which are types of lipids.
Differentiate between the macromolecules: Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, carbohydrates are composed of sugar units, and proteins are composed of amino acids. Fatty acids do not fit these categories.
Conclude that fatty acids are components of lipids, as they are involved in forming triglycerides and phospholipids, which are essential for energy storage and cell membrane structure.