What is the chemical formula for all monomers of carbohydrates? 15. Label the three monosaccharides in the pictures below. a. Are these monomers or polymers? b. What characteristics determines which monosaccharide it is? c. The three monosaccharides below have the same chemical formula, but different shapes, so they are known as 16. The chemical combination of two simple sugar molecules makes sucrose which is a common: 17. Starches are to Monosaccharides as Polymers are to
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answers:
What is the chemical formula for all monomers of carbohydrates?
C₆H₁₂O₆
15. Label the three monosaccharides in the pictures below (assuming the common ones):
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
a. Are these monomers or polymers?
Monomers
b. What characteristic determines which monosaccharide it is?
The arrangement of atoms (structural arrangement), particularly the position of the hydroxyl (–OH) groups and the carbonyl group (C=O).
c. The three monosaccharides below have the same chemical formula, but different shapes, so they are known as:
Isomers
16. The chemical combination of two simple sugar molecules makes sucrose, which is a common:
Disaccharide
17. Starches are to Monosaccharides as Polymers are to:
Monomers
Explanation:
Carbohydrates are organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio. The basic monomers of carbohydrates are monosaccharides, and they all share the general chemical formula C₆H₁₂O₆. This includes glucose, fructose, and galactose—the three most common simple sugars.
Although these monosaccharides have the same molecular formula, they differ in the arrangement of atoms. This makes them isomers, molecules with identical formulas but different structural arrangements and chemical properties. The structural differences—particularly in the position of the hydroxyl groups (–OH) and the carbonyl group (C=O)—determine the identity and function of each monosaccharide.
Monosaccharides are monomers, the simplest units that can join to form larger carbohydrate molecules. When two monosaccharides chemically bond through a process called dehydration synthesis (removing water), they form disaccharides like sucrose, a common table sugar.
When many monosaccharide units are linked together, they form polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose. These are examples of polymers, large molecules composed of repeating monomer units. So, just as starch is a polymer made up of glucose monomers, polymers in general are composed of smaller units called monomers.
In summary, monosaccharides are the building blocks of carbohydrates. Their structure determines their type and function. Isomerism among monosaccharides allows for diversity in carbohydrate function, and their combination into disaccharides or polysaccharides illustrates the principle of monomer-to-polymer relationships in biochemistry.
