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What is the primary attribute of lipids?
They are soluble in water
They are the building blocks of proteins
They are insoluble in water
They are essential for nucleic acid formation
The correct answer is: They are insoluble in water
Lipids are characterized primarily by their insolubility in water, which is a fundamental attribute of their chemical structure. This property arises due to the long hydrocarbon chains found in many lipid molecules, making them hydrophobic or water-repelling. This hydrophobic nature allows lipids to serve essential functions in biological systems, such as forming cellular membranes, storing energy, and acting as signaling molecules. While some lipids do interact with water in certain contexts, such as when they are part of a complex structure like a cell membrane, the key point is that they do not dissolve in water in the way that polar molecules do. This attribute differentiates lipids from other macromolecules like carbohydrates and proteins, which often have significant solubility in water. Understanding this property is crucial in the study of biochemistry and cellular biology, as it influences how lipids function in the body and their role in health and disease.