Why do lipids not dissolve in water?

To understand the relationship between hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, you need to understand the chemical nature of water. Oxygen has a very high affinity for electrons. This being the case, it "hogs" the electrons from the two hydrogens over to itself. read more

The statement that “lipids do not dissolve in water” is flawed. Lipids are amphiphilic molecules i.e. they have a polar (hydrophilic) head group and a non-polar (hydrophobic) tail region. Depending on which of these is dominant, determines the solubility of a particular lipid. read more

Lipids dissolve in non-polar solvents such as chloroform, benzene and diethyl ether. They do not dissolve in polar solvents such as water. The only exceptions to this rule are the phospholipids, which will partially dissolve in water. read more