Which of the following is NOT a category of lipids?

The correct answer is that simple sugar is not a category of lipids. Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic molecules that include several classes such as triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols, the latter of which includes cholesterol.

Saturated fats and unsaturated fats are two categories of fatty acids that fall under the broader category of lipids. Saturated fats contain no double bonds between carbon atoms, while unsaturated fats have one or more double bonds, contributing to their liquid state at room temperature. Cholesterol is a specific type of lipid known as a sterol, which plays crucial roles in cell membrane structure and function.

In contrast, simple sugars, or monosaccharides, are carbohydrates and serve primarily as a source of energy. They are entirely different from lipids in terms of structure and function within the body. Understanding these distinctions is vital in differentiating between biochemical macromolecules.