Lipids/fats play important roles in living things, including making up the majority of ALL cell membranes. Select the one correct role they do for living things from the choices below.
a
low calorie source of dietary fiber
b
excellent insulators
c
primary energy source produced in photosynthesis
d
enzymes
b) excellent insulators
The correct role of lipids/fats in living things is d) enzymes.
The correct role of lipids/fats for living things is c) primary energy source produced in photosynthesis.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the function of lipids in living organisms. Lipids are a diverse group of molecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They serve a variety of functions, including being a major component of cell membranes.
Among the given choices, only option c describes a role that lipids specifically play. Lipids, particularly in the form of triglycerides, are the primary energy source produced during photosynthesis. In this process, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. Glucose is then stored in plants as lipids, such as oils or fats, which can later be broken down to fuel cellular activities and provide energy for growth and development.
Options a, b, and d are not accurate descriptions of the primary role of lipids in living things. Lipids are not a low-calorie source of dietary fiber, as they are high in calories (9 calories per gram) and do not provide fiber. They are also not excellent insulators, as that function is mainly attributed to materials like fat tissues or specialized structures (e.g., fur, feathers) in animals. Additionally, while enzymes can interact with lipids and be involved in lipid metabolism, lipids themselves are not enzymes.