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Multiple Choice
Which compound has a glycerol head and three fatty acid tails?
A
Phospholipid
B
Sphingolipid
C
Triglyceride
D
Cholesterol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of the compounds listed in the problem. A triglyceride consists of a glycerol backbone attached to three fatty acid chains via ester bonds. This is a key structural feature to identify the correct compound.
Step 2: Compare the structure of a triglyceride to the other options provided. A phospholipid has a glycerol backbone but only two fatty acid tails, with a phosphate group replacing the third tail. A sphingolipid has a sphingosine backbone instead of glycerol. Cholesterol is a sterol with a completely different structure, lacking fatty acid tails.
Step 3: Focus on the defining feature of the triglyceride: the presence of a glycerol head and three fatty acid tails. This matches the description provided in the problem.
Step 4: Eliminate the other options based on their structural differences. Phospholipids and sphingolipids do not have three fatty acid tails, and cholesterol does not have a glycerol backbone or fatty acid tails.
Step 5: Conclude that the compound described in the problem, with a glycerol head and three fatty acid tails, is a triglyceride.