Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
How are phospholipids different from triglycerides?
A
Phospholipids contain a phosphate group, while triglycerides do not.
B
Phospholipids are composed of glycerol and fatty acids only, unlike triglycerides.
C
Phospholipids have three fatty acid chains, whereas triglycerides have two.
D
Phospholipids are nonpolar, while triglycerides are polar.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic structure of triglycerides: Triglycerides are composed of a glycerol backbone bonded to three fatty acid chains through ester linkages.
Learn the structure of phospholipids: Phospholipids consist of a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid chains, and a phosphate group attached to the third carbon of glycerol.
Identify the key structural difference: Phospholipids have a phosphate group replacing one of the fatty acid chains found in triglycerides, making them amphipathic with both hydrophilic (phosphate group) and hydrophobic (fatty acid chains) regions.
Clarify the polarity: Phospholipids are amphipathic due to their hydrophilic head (phosphate group) and hydrophobic tails (fatty acids), whereas triglycerides are nonpolar as they consist solely of hydrophobic fatty acid chains.
Summarize the functional implications: The presence of the phosphate group in phospholipids allows them to form bilayers in cell membranes, a function not possible for triglycerides due to their nonpolar nature.