Final answer:
The question is about a type of hydrocarbon chain that is long, hydrophobic, highly saturated, and solid, used for waterproofing. The correct answer is Biology.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option Biology.
This question is asking about a specific type of hydrocarbon chain that is long, hydrophobic, highly saturated, and solid, which is used for waterproofing.
The description matches that of a saturated fatty acid, which is a type of lipid molecule. Saturated fatty acids have long hydrocarbon chains with single covalent bonds and are hydrophobic, meaning they are insoluble in water.
Due to their compact structure, they are solid at room temperature and are often used for waterproofing purposes.
The correct answer is option Biology. When we talk about long hydrocarbon chains, hydrophobic properties, high saturation, and solid state in the context of biological molecules, we are most likely discussing saturated fatty acids.
These molecules consist of a long-chain hydrocarbon with only single covalent bonds between the carbon atoms, which means the chain is fully saturated with hydrogen atoms. The saturated nature of the fatty acid makes these molecules highly hydrophobic and usually solid at room temperature.
They often function in organisms as a form of energy storage and waterproofing. Saturated fatty acids, such as stearic acid, can become part of larger lipid structures like fats, where they are attached to glycerol molecules with ester bonds. In aquatic mammals, such as the river otter, the waterproofing property is essential for protecting them from the elements.