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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is NOT true about carbohydrate structures?
A
All carbohydrates contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.
B
Polysaccharides are composed of long chains of monosaccharide units.
C
Disaccharides are formed by the hydrolysis of two monosaccharides.
D
Monosaccharides can exist in both linear and cyclic forms.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by analyzing the chemical composition of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1. This statement is true and aligns with the general definition of carbohydrates.
Step 2: Examine the structure of polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are large macromolecules formed by the polymerization of monosaccharide units through glycosidic bonds. This statement is also true and consistent with the biochemical properties of polysaccharides.
Step 3: Evaluate the process of disaccharide formation. Disaccharides are formed by a condensation reaction (dehydration synthesis) between two monosaccharides, resulting in the removal of a water molecule and the formation of a glycosidic bond. Hydrolysis, on the other hand, is the reverse process, where water is added to break the glycosidic bond. Therefore, the statement 'Disaccharides are formed by the hydrolysis of two monosaccharides' is NOT true.
Step 4: Consider the structural forms of monosaccharides. Monosaccharides can exist in both linear and cyclic forms due to the equilibrium between their open-chain and ring structures in aqueous solutions. This statement is true and reflects the dynamic nature of monosaccharides.
Step 5: Conclude that the incorrect statement is 'Disaccharides are formed by the hydrolysis of two monosaccharides,' as it contradicts the biochemical process of disaccharide formation, which occurs through condensation rather than hydrolysis.