Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The subunits of carbohydrate polymers are held together by which type of bond?
A
Phosphodiester bond
B
Disulfide bond
C
Peptide bond
D
Glycosidic bond
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of carbohydrate polymers: Carbohydrate polymers, such as starch and cellulose, are composed of monosaccharide subunits (simple sugars) linked together.
Identify the type of bond that connects monosaccharides: Monosaccharides are joined through a dehydration reaction, where a water molecule is removed, forming a covalent bond between the sugar molecules.
Learn the name of the bond: The covalent bond formed between monosaccharides is called a glycosidic bond. This bond connects the hydroxyl group (-OH) of one sugar molecule to the hydroxyl group of another sugar molecule.
Compare glycosidic bonds to other bond types: Phosphodiester bonds are found in nucleic acids, disulfide bonds are found in proteins, and peptide bonds link amino acids in proteins. None of these are involved in carbohydrate polymer formation.
Conclude that glycosidic bonds are the correct answer: Glycosidic bonds are specific to carbohydrates and are responsible for linking monosaccharides into larger carbohydrate polymers.