Lipids are made up of what elements?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the chemical composition of lipids, specifically which elements they are made of. Lipids are macromolecules that typically consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Understanding this helps explain the structure and properties of lipids in biological systems.
Answer
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (sometimes nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus)
Lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some lipids may also contain nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Answer for screen readers
Lipids are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some lipids may also contain nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
More Information
Lipids are primarily composed of three elements: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. These elements are arranged in a way that makes lipids predominantly hydrophobic, meaning they do not mix well with water. Lipids can also contain other elements like nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, depending on their type.
Sources
- What elements make up lipids? + Example - Socratic - socratic.org
- 3.4: Lipids - Medicine LibreTexts - med.libretexts.org
- Overview About Lipid Structure | IntechOpen - intechopen.com
