Name two structural characteristics that triglycerides and phospholipids have in common.

Triglycerides and phospholipids share the following structural characteristics:

1. Glycerol Backbone: Both triglycerides and phospholipids contain a glycerol molecule as their backbone. This three-carbon alcohol serves as the foundation to which fatty acids and other groups are attached.

2. Fatty Acid Chains: Both types of molecules have fatty acid chains. In triglycerides, three fatty acids are esterified to the glycerol backbone, whereas in phospholipids, typically two fatty acids are attached, with the third position occupied by a phosphate group linked to an additional polar group.

These shared features contribute to their roles in biological systems, such as energy storage and forming cell membranes.