Chapter 3, Problem 1FIB

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Organic molecules are those molecules which are made up of carbon and hydrogen. Organic molecules consist of a carbon backbone which is bonded to atoms of hydrogen. Carbon is the main constituent of life. The chemical properties of different structures having carbon govern the interactions of cells. Versatile and various carbon atoms which is the key component of organic molecules make life possible. Organic molecules assume complex shape and structure which is important for many biological processes.

Answer to Problem 1FIB

Correct answer:

In organic molecules made of chains of subunits, each subunit is called a (n) monomer, and the chains are called polymers. Carbohydrates consisting of long chains of sugars are called polysaccharides. These sugar chains can be broken down by hydrolysis reactions. The three types of carbohydrates consisting of long glucose chains are cellulose, starch, and glycogen. Three examples of disaccharides are sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

Explanation of Solution

The long chains of an organic molecule is called polymer. A polymer consists of a repeating unit called monomers. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Carbohydrates also form polymers having two or more sugar molecules.

Polysaccharides are formed by the long chain of simple monomer units of monosaccharide linked through glycosidic bonds. The examples of some polysaccharides are glycogen, starch, cellulose, and chitin. The long sugar chains can be broken down into simpler units by hydrolysis reactions.

Disaccharide sugar molecules are composed of two monosaccharide units. Example of disaccharide sugars are: maltose, lactose, and sucrose.

Conclusion

Each polymer of an organic molecule is made up of a single repeating unit called monomer. Disaccharide and polysaccharide are the classes of carbohydrates which are made up of two or more monosaccharide. Sucrose and maltose are disaccharide and glycogen and cellulose are polysaccharides.