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 3rd graders response In 3 sentences.

Answer 1

The picture of glucose shows only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Because it has C, H, and O, glucose can provide the atoms to make lipids (fats) which are made of those same elements. But proteins and nucleic acids need nitrogen (and nucleic acids also need phosphorus), and the glucose picture does not show N or P, so it cannot give all the elements to make them.