Question

Select the true statements.
Phospholipids are used to build cell membranes.
Fatty acids in a phospholipid are called tails.
A phospholipid is made when one glycerol molecule combines with three fatty acids.
Unlike triglycerides, phospholipids have nitrogen and phosphorus atoms.

Answer 1

True:
- Phospholipids are used to build cell membranes. (They form the bilayer that makes up membranes.)
- Fatty acids in a phospholipid are called tails. (The hydrophobic fatty acid chains are referred to as the "tails"; the phosphate-containing part is the "head".)

False:
- A phospholipid is made when one glycerol molecule combines with three fatty acids. (That describes a triglyceride; a typical phospholipid has one glycerol + two fatty acids + a phosphate-containing head group.)
- Unlike triglycerides, phospholipids have nitrogen and phosphorus atoms. (Phospholipids do contain phosphorus (in the phosphate group). Many common phospholipids also have nitrogen in their head groups (e.g., phosphatidylcholine), but nitrogen is not present in all phospholipids, so the blanket statement is incorrect.)