Question

question 20 (1 point) water is the universal solvent yet it will not dissolve lipids because

a \tlipids are solutions

b \tlipids are nonpolar

c \tlipids contain glycerol

d \tfatty acids inhibit chemical reactions

Explanation:

To determine why water does not dissolve lipids, we use the principle "like dissolves like." Water is a polar molecule, so it dissolves polar substances.

• Option a: Lipids are not solutions; they are a type of biomolecule, so this is incorrect.
• Option b: Lipids are nonpolar. Since water is polar, nonpolar lipids do not dissolve in polar water, which matches the "like dissolves like" rule.
• Option c: While some lipids (like fats) contain glycerol, the presence of glycerol does not explain why lipids don't dissolve in water. Glycerol itself is polar and can dissolve in water, but lipids have nonpolar regions (fatty acid tails) that prevent dissolution.
• Option d: Fatty acids do not inhibit chemical reactions related to dissolution in water; this is not a valid explanation for lipid insolubility in water.

Answer:

b. lipids are nonpolar