Final answer:
The hydrophobic fatty acid chains of LPS serve several important functions including anchoring the LPS molecule and contributing to its toxic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hydrophobic fatty acid chains of LPS, which stands for lipopolysaccharide, serve several important functions.
Firstly, the hydrophobic chains help to anchor the LPS molecule in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.
Additionally, the hydrophobic nature of the fatty acid chains makes the LPS molecule toxic, as it can stimulate an excessive inflammatory response when present in high concentrations in the blood.