Question

Glucose, cellulose, chitin:
a. monomers
b. elements
c. functions
d. examples
e. not for carbohydrates

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Glucose, cellulose, and chitin are all related to carbohydrates, but they differ in their specific roles and structures. Here's a breakdown of their characteristics in relation to the provided categories:

1. **Glucose**:
- **a. Monomers**: Yes, glucose is a monosaccharide and serves as a fundamental monomer for many carbohydrates.
- **b. Elements**: Made up of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
- **c. Functions**: Primary energy source for cells, involved in cellular respiration, and a building block for other carbohydrates.
- **d. Examples**: Found in fruits, honey, and as a product of photosynthesis.
- **e. Not for carbohydrates**: Glucose is indeed a carbohydrate.

2. **Cellulose**:
- **a. Monomers**: Cellulose is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose monomers.
- **b. Elements**: Composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
- **c. Functions**: Provides structural support in plant cell walls and helps in plant rigidity.
- **d. Examples**: Found in the cell walls of plants, cotton, and wood.
- **e. Not for carbohydrates**: Cellulose is a carbohydrate.

3. **Chitin**:
- **a. Monomers**: Chitin is also a polysaccharide made up of N-acetylglucosamine monomers (derived from glucose).
- **b. Elements**: Contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O).
- **c. Functions**: Provides structural support in the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi.
- **d. Examples**: Found in insect exoskeletons, crustaceans, and fungal cell walls.
- **e. Not for carbohydrates**: Chitin is considered a carbohydrate (specifically a complex carbohydrate or polysaccharide).

In summary, glucose, cellulose, and chitin are all carbohydrates, with glucose serving as a monomer, cellulose serving as a structural polysaccharide in plants, and chitin serving a similar structural role in fungi and arthropods.