Question

Both Carbohydrates and lipids are called hydrocarbons because:

A. They consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms
B. They dissolve in water
C. They are essential for energy storage
D. They are found in living organisms

Answer 1

Lipids are hydrophobic compounds that include nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. They store energy as fats and provide insulation for plants and animals. Additionally, lipids serve as building blocks for hormones and cellular membranes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic ("water fearing"), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, their water-repellant hydrophobic nature can help keep aquatic birds and mammals dry by forming a protective layer over fur or feathers. Lipids are also the building blocks of many hormones and an important constituent of all cellular membranes. Lipids include fats, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.