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Multiple Choice
Phospholipids differ from triglycerides in which of the following ways?
A
Phospholipids contain a phosphate group in place of one fatty acid chain.
B
Triglycerides are amphipathic molecules, while phospholipids are completely hydrophobic.
C
Phospholipids do not contain glycerol as a backbone.
D
Phospholipids have three fatty acid chains attached to glycerol.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of triglycerides. Triglycerides consist of a glycerol backbone attached to three fatty acid chains via ester bonds. They are hydrophobic molecules and do not contain a phosphate group.
Step 2: Next, examine the structure of phospholipids. Phospholipids also have a glycerol backbone, but they differ from triglycerides because one of the fatty acid chains is replaced by a phosphate group, which is often linked to other polar molecules. This makes phospholipids amphipathic, meaning they have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
Step 3: Compare the amphipathic nature of phospholipids to the hydrophobic nature of triglycerides. Phospholipids have a hydrophilic phosphate group and hydrophobic fatty acid tails, while triglycerides are entirely hydrophobic.
Step 4: Address the incorrect statements in the problem. For example, phospholipids do contain glycerol as a backbone, and they do not have three fatty acid chains attached to glycerol. Additionally, triglycerides are not amphipathic molecules; they are completely hydrophobic.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is: 'Phospholipids contain a phosphate group in place of one fatty acid chain,' as this accurately describes the structural difference between phospholipids and triglycerides.