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Multiple Choice
Which of the following biomolecules contains three ester functional groups?
A
Sucrose
B
Cholesterol
C
Phosphatidylcholine
D
Triacylglycerol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of an ester functional group. An ester group is characterized by the chemical formula R-COOR', where R and R' are alkyl or aryl groups. It is formed by the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.
Step 2: Analyze the structure of each biomolecule provided in the options. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose linked by a glycosidic bond, and it does not contain ester groups.
Step 3: Examine cholesterol. Cholesterol is a sterol with a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a hydrocarbon tail, but it does not contain ester groups in its basic structure.
Step 4: Review phosphatidylcholine. This molecule is a phospholipid containing a phosphate group, choline, and two fatty acid chains. While it contains ester bonds linking the fatty acids to glycerol, it does not have three ester groups.
Step 5: Finally, analyze triacylglycerol. Triacylglycerol is composed of a glycerol backbone esterified to three fatty acid chains. Each fatty acid is linked to glycerol via an ester bond, resulting in a total of three ester functional groups. This matches the criteria in the question.