Briefly explain waxes.

ANSWER: Waxes are esters of long-chain alcohols with long-chain fatty acids. The resulting molecule can be viewed as having a weakly polar head group (the ester moiety itself) and a long, nonpolar tail (the hydrocarbon chains). Fatty acids found in waxes are usually saturated. The alcohols found in waxes may be saturated or unsaturated and may include sterols, such as cholesterol. Waxes are water insoluble due to their mostly hydrocarbon composition. As a result, this class of molecules confers a water-repellant character to animal skin, to the leaves of certain plants, and to bird feathers. The glossy surface of a polished apple results from a wax coating.

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