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Chapter 18: Problem 23

Define monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide and give an example of each.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A monosaccharide is the simplest carbohydrate, consisting of a single sugar molecule (e.g., glucose, with the formula \(C_6H_{12}O_6\)). A disaccharide is formed by the combination of two monosaccharide molecules joined by a glycosidic linkage (e.g., sucrose, formed by glucose and fructose). A polysaccharide is formed by multiple monosaccharide molecules linked together (e.g., starch, composed of long chains of glucose molecules).

Step by step solution

01

Define Monosaccharide

A monosaccharide is the simplest form of carbohydrate, consisting of a single sugar molecule. It cannot be further broken down into simpler sugars. Monosaccharides have the general chemical formula (CH2O)n, where 'n' is a number between 3 and 7.
02

Provide an Example of a Monosaccharide

An example of a monosaccharide is glucose, which has the chemical formula C6H12O6. It is the most common monosaccharide and is widely used as a source of energy in cellular respiration.
03

Define Disaccharide

A disaccharide is a carbohydrate formed by the combination of two monosaccharide molecules, joined together by a glycosidic linkage during a dehydration synthesis reaction, where a water molecule is released.
04

Provide an Example of a Disaccharide

An example of a disaccharide is sucrose, which is a combination of glucose and fructose. Sucrose is commonly known as table sugar and is used as a sweetener in various food products.
05

Define Polysaccharide

A polysaccharide is a carbohydrate formed by the combination of multiple monosaccharide molecules, linked together by glycosidic linkages. Polysaccharides can be branched or unbranched and may have various functional roles in living organisms, such as energy storage, structural support, and cell communication.
06

Provide an Example of a Polysaccharide

An example of a polysaccharide is starch, which is composed of long chains of glucose molecules. Starch is a major source of stored energy in plants and is used by both plants and animals as a source of glucose for cellular respiration.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Below are shown the hydrogen bonds that form between the \(C-G\) and \(A-T\) pairs of bases. What type of functional groups are involved in hydrogen bonding? Why does the A-T pair form only two hydrogen bonds and not three?

Consider the term carbohydrate. (a) What does it mean literally? (b) Are sugar molecules examples of carbohydrates? Explain.

How does glucose differ structurally from sucrose?

What is meant by the term codon? What is the function of a codon?

What is a polymer? How does it differ from a monomer?
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