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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a characteristic of triglycerides?
A
They are composed of glycerol and three fatty acids.
B
They contain a phosphate group.
C
They are soluble in water.
D
They are primarily found in cell membranes.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of triglycerides: Triglycerides are esters derived from glycerol and three fatty acids. This means they are composed of a glycerol backbone bonded to three fatty acid chains.
Recognize the absence of a phosphate group: Triglycerides do not contain a phosphate group. Phospholipids, not triglycerides, contain a phosphate group and are a major component of cell membranes.
Consider the solubility in water: Triglycerides are non-polar molecules, making them insoluble in water. They are hydrophobic due to the long hydrocarbon chains of the fatty acids.
Identify their role in biological systems: Triglycerides are primarily used for energy storage in animals and plants, not as structural components of cell membranes.
Compare with phospholipids: Phospholipids, which contain a phosphate group, are amphipathic and form the bilayer of cell membranes, unlike triglycerides which are not found in cell membranes.