Phospholipids are

Phospholipids are

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Proteins
• C. Lipids
• D. Nucleic acids

Answer: (C)

Phospholipids belong to the family of lipids. They consist of a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid tails and a phosphate-containing head group, giving them an amphipathic nature with hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head. This arrangement drives the formation of lipid bilayers in water, which underlies cell membranes. They are not carbohydrates, proteins, or nucleic acids; those categories describe sugars and related polymers, amino-acid–based polymers with diverse cellular roles, and nucleotides that store genetic information, respectively. So the best classification is lipids.

Phospholipids belong to the family of lipids. They consist of a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid tails and a phosphate-containing head group, giving them an amphipathic nature with hydrophobic tails and a hydrophilic head. This arrangement drives the formation of lipid bilayers in water, which underlies cell membranes. They are not carbohydrates, proteins, or nucleic acids; those categories describe sugars and related polymers, amino-acid–based polymers with diverse cellular roles, and nucleotides that store genetic information, respectively. So the best classification is lipids.