Question

Elements of Carbohydrates Many chemical reactions take place inside cells. Organisms are constantly breaking apart
molecules and using the atoms to create other molecules. One of the classes of molecules found in living organisms is carbohydrates.

This is a molecule of glucose, a simple carbohydrate. If this molecule were broken down, would it provide all of the elements needed to assemble lipids, nucleic acids, or proteins?
Use evidence from the diagram in your answer.

Write in a 5th graders response In 3 sentences.

Answer 1

The diagram of glucose shows only carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. Because lipids are made of C, H, and O, broken-down glucose could provide the elements to build lipids. Proteins need nitrogen (and nucleic acids need nitrogen and phosphorus), which glucose does not have, so it cannot provide those elements.