The characteristic that all lipids have in common is:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks us to identify a common characteristic shared by all lipids.
Option 1: 'They are all acidic when mixed with water' — This is incorrect. Lipids are not defined by acidity in water; their defining traits are related to polarity and energy storage, not universal acidity.
Option 2: 'They are all made of amino acids and glycerol' — This is false. Lipids are not built from amino acids; proteins are made of amino acids, and glycerol is a component in some lipid structures, but lipids as a class are not uniformly composed of amino acids and glycerol.
Option 3: 'They have a very low potential for energy storage' — This is misleading. In fact, lipids store a lot of energy (high energy density per gram), so claiming low energy storage contradicts their well-known role as concentrated energy reserves.
Option 4: 'They all contain nitrogen' — Many lipids do not contain nitrogen (e.g., triglycerides, cholesterol), so this is not a universal feature and is therefore incorrect.
Option 5: 'They are hydrophobic and do not dissolve in water' — This statement captures the core common property of lipids: they are nonpolar and hydrophobic, leading to poor solubility in water. This aligns with the basic chemistry of triglycerides, phospholipids (in their fatty acid tails), and other neutral lipids, which do not mix with water due to their nonpolar hydrocarbon chains.
In summary, the standout, universal trait among lipids is their hydrophobic, water-insoluble nature, which explains their behavior in biological membranes and energy storage contexts. The other options either describe properties not universal to lipids or conflict with established lipid chemistry.

Dashboard TEST 1 2025 T3

The characteristic that all lipids have in common is:

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Dashboard TEST 1 2025 T3

The characteristic that all lipids have in common is:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

What is the main difference between fats and oils?

Comprehension-Level Multiple-Choice Items​ ​The term for the “family” of organic compounds that is soluble in organic solvents but not in water is:

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Besides water, your brain is mostly composed of

Fats, or lipids, are the most concentrated source of energy; they represent stored energy and provide insulation and support for body organs.

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Comprehension-Level Multiple-Choice Items The term for the “family” of organic compounds that is soluble in organic solvents but not in water is: