Which of the following statements describes lipids?
A) Lipids all have the steroid backbone.
B) The body stores excess calories as lipids.
C) Lipids are insoluble in water, but soluble in nonpolar solvents.
D) Lipids are soluble in water, but insoluble in nonpolar solvents.
E) Lipids are insoluble in all solvents.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lipids are characterized by their insolubility in water and solubility in nonpolar solvents, such as chloroform or ether. They do not all have the steroid backbone, and while the body can store excess calories as lipids, this is not a defining characteristic of the molecule. Lipids are not soluble in water and are therefore not soluble in all solvents.

Which of the Following Statements Describes Lipids