What feature of fats makes them hydrophobic?
A) Fats have carboxyl groups.
B) Fats include one glycerol molecule.
C) Fats have polar fatty acids.
D) Fats have nonpolar hydrocarbon chains.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fats have nonpolar hydrocarbon chains, which are insoluble in water and thus make fats hydrophobic. Polar or charged amino acid side chains would make a molecule polar, not hydrophobic. Glycerol is present in fats, but it is not the feature that makes them hydrophobic. Similarly, while fatty acids are present in fats, polar fatty acids would make the molecule polar, not hydrophobic.

What Feature of Fats Makes Them Hydrophobic