biology unit one - carbohydrates (monosaccharides)

what do the terms: monomer, dimer and polymer mean?

A monomer is a small, single molecule that can combine with others to form larger structure

A dimer is a molecule that consists of two monomers joined together

A polymer is a large molecule made up of many monomers linked together

what is the difference between a structural and a molecular formula?

A structural formula shows the arrangement of atoms and the bonds between them in a molecule

a molecular formula simply indicates the number and types of atoms present

what is an isomer?

An isomer is a molecule that has the same molecular formula as another molecule but a different structural arrangement of atoms

what is the general term for a single sugar unit?

A monosaccharide

how many carbon atoms do the following sugars have: triose, pentose, hexose?

A triose has three carbon atoms, a pentose has five carbon atoms, and a hexose has six carbon atoms.

what is the general formula for a monosaccharide?

The general formula for a monosaccharide is (CH2O)n

name: a triose, two pentose and three hexose sugars

Examples include glyceraldehyde (triose), ribose and xylulose (pentoses), and glucose, fructose, and galactose (hexoses).

name two molecules that contain ribose and one that contains deoxyribose

Ribose is found in RNA and ATP, while deoxyribose is found in DNA.

what is the function of triose and hexose sugars

triose sugars are important in respiration and photosynthesis.

hexose sugars are used in respiration.

why are glucose, galactose and fructose described as isomers of each other?

They have the same molecular formula (C6H12O6) but different structural arrangements of their atoms.