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MCAT Practice Question for April 26th

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Why are triacylglycerols used in the human body for energy storage?

They are highly hydrated, and therefore can store lots of energy.

They always have short fatty acid chains, for easy access by metabolic enzymes.

The carbon atoms of the fatty acid chains are highly reduced, and therefore yield more energy upon oxidation.

Polysaccharides, which would actually be a better energy storage form, would dissolve in the body.

Correct

Incorrect

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C is the correct answer.

Triacylglycerols are highly hydrophobic and therefore not highly hydrated (which would add extra weight from the water of hydration, taking away from the energy density of these molecules), eliminating choice (A). The fatty acid chains produce twice as much energy as polysaccharides during oxidation because they are highly reduced. The fatty acid chains vary in length and saturation.

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