Which of the following statements best explains the insolubility of lipids in water?
A) The structure of lipids includes hydrophilic molecules.
B) The polar portion of lipids is much larger than the nonpolar portion.
C) The polar portion of lipids is much smaller than the nonpolar portion.
D) The polar and nonpolar portions of lipids are of the same size.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lipids are generally non-polar molecules with a small polar portion, if any. Water, on the other hand, is a polar molecule, which means that it can only dissolve other polar molecules or ionic compounds. Because lipids are non-polar, they are insoluble in water. The size of the polar portion of the molecule affects the molecule's ability to dissolve in water, and smaller polar portions make the molecule less soluble in water.

Which of the Following Statements Best Explains the Insolubility of Lipids