I honestly don't understand how to approach this question and the AAMC's solution. Could someone please explain?
AAMC ONLINE OFFICIAL GUIDE QUESTIONS C/P #17
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The question requires you to recognize that the reactant in Reaction 1 is a phospholipid. This is a content review question since it involves knowing what a phospholipid is and what structures make up it.
Phospholipids are lipids that have a glycerol backbone that’s attached to two fatty acid groups and a phosphate complex.
In the passage, R1 and R2 are part of the fatty acids in the phospholipid. So the question is asking what could be the structure of the fatty acids.
A fatty acid has a long hydrocarbon chain with an acidic end group. So R1 and R2 should be long and have many carbons and hydrogens. There are no oxygens or nitrogens in the fatty acid hydrocarbon chain.
Of the answer choices, the only one that meets the criterion of long hydrocarbon chain is C.
Phospholipids are lipids that have a glycerol backbone that’s attached to two fatty acid groups and a phosphate complex.
In the passage, R1 and R2 are part of the fatty acids in the phospholipid. So the question is asking what could be the structure of the fatty acids.
A fatty acid has a long hydrocarbon chain with an acidic end group. So R1 and R2 should be long and have many carbons and hydrogens. There are no oxygens or nitrogens in the fatty acid hydrocarbon chain.
Of the answer choices, the only one that meets the criterion of long hydrocarbon chain is C.
The question requires you to recognize that the reactant in Reaction 1 is a phospholipid. This is a content review question since it involves knowing what a phospholipid is and what structures make up it.
Phospholipids are lipids that have a glycerol backbone that’s attached to two fatty acid groups and a phosphate complex.
In the passage, R1 and R2 are part of the fatty acids in the phospholipid. So the question is asking what could be the structure of the fatty acids.
A fatty acid has a long hydrocarbon chain with an acidic end group. So R1 and R2 should be long and have many carbons and hydrogens. There are no oxygens or nitrogens in the fatty acid hydrocarbon chain.
Of the answer choices, the only one that meets the criterion of long hydrocarbon chain is C.
Thank you so much! this really cleared things up!
