Question

A triglyceride is a type of lipid that stores energy for the body. What aspect of a triglyceride molecule's structure helps it fulfill this role?

OA. Its highly branched structure helps the molecule spread its carbon bonds over a large area.
OB. It contains two hydrocarbon chains that repel water and a phosphate group that attracts water.
OC. It contains many phosphate groups, five-carbon sugars, and nitrogen-containing bases in a long chain.
OD. Its unbranched structure helps the molecule pack many chemical bonds into a compact space.​

Answer 1

Answer: D. Its unbranched structure helps the molecule pack many chemical bonds into a compact space.

Explanation: A triglyceride molecule consists of three fatty acid chains that are each attached to a glycerol molecule. The fatty acid chains are long, unbranched hydrocarbon chains that are nonpolar and insoluble in water. The three fatty acid chains are joined to the glycerol molecule by ester bonds, which are high-energy bonds that can be broken to release energy when needed. The unbranched structure of the fatty acid chains allows them to pack tightly together, which increases the number of chemical bonds that can be stored in a small space. This compact packing of chemical bonds is what makes triglycerides an efficient way to store large amounts of energy in a small space.