Prepare for the Foundations of Biology Exam 1. Dive into key biological concepts with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace the exam with our efficient study methods!

Multiple Choice

Lipids are characterized as what type of molecules and which type of bonds do they predominantly contain?

Lipids are predominantly nonpolar and water-repellent, because they are built largely from long hydrocarbon chains. This makes them hydrophobic and insoluble in water. The bonds that hold lipid molecules together are covalent, mainly non-polar covalent bonds such as C–H and C–C (and the covalent bonds in ester linkages in fats). Hydrogen bonds don’t form the primary scaffold within lipids, and being hydrophilic would imply water solubility, which lipids lack. So the best description is that lipids are hydrophobic with non-polar covalent bonds.

Lipids are predominantly nonpolar and water-repellent, because they are built largely from long hydrocarbon chains. This makes them hydrophobic and insoluble in water. The bonds that hold lipid molecules together are covalent, mainly non-polar covalent bonds such as C–H and C–C (and the covalent bonds in ester linkages in fats). Hydrogen bonds don’t form the primary scaffold within lipids, and being hydrophilic would imply water solubility, which lipids lack. So the best description is that lipids are hydrophobic with non-polar covalent bonds.