How do triglycerides differ from phospholipids?

How do triglycerides differ from phospholipids?

• A. Phospholipids consist of three fatty acids
• B. Phospholipids contain more glycerol
• C. Phospholipids contain 1 less fatty acid tail and 1 phosphate group
• D. Triglycerides contain a phosphate group

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how the glycerol backbone is substituted in these lipids. Triglycerides have three fatty acid tails attached to glycerol, making them mainly for energy storage and very nonpolar. Phospholipids, on the other hand, replace one of those fatty acid tails with a phosphate-containing head group, so they have two fatty acid tails plus a phosphate head. This gives phospholipids an amphipathic character: hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head, which is crucial for forming cell membranes. That description matches the option stating that phospholipids contain one less fatty acid tail and include a phosphate group. The other statements don’t fit: phospholipids don’t have three fatty acids, glycerol quantity isn’t the distinguishing factor, and triglycerides don’t contain a phosphate group.

The main idea is how the glycerol backbone is substituted in these lipids. Triglycerides have three fatty acid tails attached to glycerol, making them mainly for energy storage and very nonpolar. Phospholipids, on the other hand, replace one of those fatty acid tails with a phosphate-containing head group, so they have two fatty acid tails plus a phosphate head. This gives phospholipids an amphipathic character: hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head, which is crucial for forming cell membranes.

That description matches the option stating that phospholipids contain one less fatty acid tail and include a phosphate group. The other statements don’t fit: phospholipids don’t have three fatty acids, glycerol quantity isn’t the distinguishing factor, and triglycerides don’t contain a phosphate group.