What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The building blocks of carbohydrates are monosaccharides.
Explanation:
Carbohydrates are one of the major classes of biomolecules essential for life. They are composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), typically in a ratio of 1:2:1. The basic units, or building blocks, of carbohydrates are monosaccharides, which are simple sugars.
A monosaccharide is the smallest and simplest form of carbohydrate. Common examples include glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), fructose, and galactose. These molecules typically have a single ring structure and serve as the primary source of energy for cells. Monosaccharides can have three to seven carbon atoms, with glucose being the most important and widely used in cellular respiration.
When two monosaccharides bond together through a process called dehydration synthesis (removal of a water molecule), they form a disaccharide. For example, glucose and fructose combine to form sucrose, which is table sugar. Similarly, glucose and galactose form lactose, the sugar found in milk.
When many monosaccharides are linked together, they form polysaccharides, which are complex carbohydrates. Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Starch is the storage form of carbohydrates in plants, glycogen serves as energy storage in animals, and cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.
Carbohydrates serve several important biological functions. They provide a quick source of energy, store energy for later use, and serve as structural components in cells. In addition to energy and structure, some carbohydrates are involved in cell recognition and signaling processes, such as glycoproteins found on cell surfaces.
In summary, monosaccharides are the fundamental units of carbohydrates. Through different combinations and linkages, these simple sugars can create a wide variety of more complex carbohydrate structures that play crucial roles in biology.
