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Multiple Choice
Which type of carbohydrates are primarily used by cells to produce energy?
A
Chitin
B
Monosaccharides
C
Cellulose
D
Glycogen
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of carbohydrates in cellular energy production. Carbohydrates are organic molecules that serve as a primary energy source for cells. They are broken down during cellular respiration to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Step 2: Learn about the different types of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, while polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of multiple monosaccharide units.
Step 3: Focus on monosaccharides. Monosaccharides, such as glucose, are the primary molecules used by cells to produce energy. They are small, easily absorbed, and directly utilized in cellular respiration to generate ATP.
Step 4: Compare monosaccharides with other carbohydrate types. Polysaccharides like glycogen and cellulose are storage or structural forms of carbohydrates. Glycogen can be broken down into monosaccharides for energy, but it is not directly used in its complex form. Chitin is a structural carbohydrate found in fungi and arthropods, not used for energy production.
Step 5: Conclude that monosaccharides are the correct answer. They are the primary type of carbohydrate directly used by cells to produce energy through processes like glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.