Which elements are primarily found in lipids?

Lipids are primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. This composition is essential to the structure and function of lipids in biological systems. Lipids are characterized as hydrophobic or amphiphilic molecules, which means they do not mix readily with water. The long hydrocarbon chains or rings in lipids consist largely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, giving them their nonpolar characteristics.

Oxygen is also present in lipids, often in the form of functional groups such as carboxyl or ester groups, which can influence the physical properties and reactivity of various lipids, such as fatty acids and triglycerides.

The other options include elements that are either not primarily associated with lipids or are characteristic of different biomolecules. For example, nitrogen is a key element in proteins and nucleic acids but is not a primary component of lipids. Phosphorus is often associated with phospholipids, which are a specific type of lipid that makes up cell membranes, but it is not a defining element for all lipids. Sulfur is more commonly found in certain amino acids and proteins, not in lipid structures. Thus, the primary elements found in lipids are indeed carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.