Question

determine whether each statement describes a property of phospholipids, triglycerides, or both.
complete the table.
table with rows: contain nonpolar fatty acids, build cell membranes, are energy-storage molecules, contain a polar phosphate group; columns: phospholipids, triglycerides (with empty checkboxes)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each property based on the structure and function of phospholipids and triglycerides:

1. "contain nonpolar fatty acids"

• Phospholipids: Have two nonpolar fatty acid tails.
• Triglycerides: Have three nonpolar fatty acid chains (esterified to glycerol).

→ Both have nonpolar fatty acids.

2. "build cell membranes"

• Phospholipids: Form the lipid bilayer of cell membranes (due to their amphipathic nature: polar head + nonpolar tails).
• Triglycerides: Do not participate in cell membrane structure (they are energy-storage molecules).

→ Only phospholipids.

3. "are energy-storage molecules"

• Phospholipids: Primarily function in membrane structure, not main energy storage.
• Triglycerides: Major energy-storage molecules in organisms (e.g., fat in adipose tissue).

→ Only triglycerides.

4. "contain a polar phosphate group"

• Phospholipids: Have a polar phosphate group in their head (makes them amphipathic).
• Triglycerides: Consist of glycerol and fatty acids; no phosphate group.

→ Only phospholipids.

Filling the Table:

Property	phospholipids	triglycerides
build cell membranes	✔️	❌
are energy-storage molecules	❌	✔️
contain a polar phosphate group	✔️	❌

(Note: Use checkmarks or "Yes"/"No" as per the table’s formatting requirements. If boxes, mark "✔️" for applicable, "❌" for not applicable.)

Answer:

To solve this, we analyze each property based on the structure and function of phospholipids and triglycerides:

1. "contain nonpolar fatty acids"

• Phospholipids: Have two nonpolar fatty acid tails.
• Triglycerides: Have three nonpolar fatty acid chains (esterified to glycerol).

→ Both have nonpolar fatty acids.

2. "build cell membranes"

• Phospholipids: Form the lipid bilayer of cell membranes (due to their amphipathic nature: polar head + nonpolar tails).
• Triglycerides: Do not participate in cell membrane structure (they are energy-storage molecules).

→ Only phospholipids.

3. "are energy-storage molecules"

• Phospholipids: Primarily function in membrane structure, not main energy storage.
• Triglycerides: Major energy-storage molecules in organisms (e.g., fat in adipose tissue).

→ Only triglycerides.

4. "contain a polar phosphate group"

• Phospholipids: Have a polar phosphate group in their head (makes them amphipathic).
• Triglycerides: Consist of glycerol and fatty acids; no phosphate group.

→ Only phospholipids.

Filling the Table:

Property	phospholipids	triglycerides
build cell membranes	✔️	❌
are energy-storage molecules	❌	✔️
contain a polar phosphate group	✔️	❌

(Note: Use checkmarks or "Yes"/"No" as per the table’s formatting requirements. If boxes, mark "✔️" for applicable, "❌" for not applicable.)