Question

Identify the polysaccharide among the following :

• A. Fructose
• B. Maltose
• C. Glucose
• D. Cellulose

Hint:

Remember the classification of common carbohydrates: Monosaccharides : Glucose, Fructose Disaccharides : Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose Polysaccharides : Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall the classification of carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are classified by the number of sugar units: monosaccharides (1 unit, cannot be hydrolysed further), disaccharides (2 units linked by a glycosidic bond), and polysaccharides (hundreds to thousands of units, high molecular mass polymers).
Step 2: Classify fructose, glucose, and maltose.
Fructose and glucose both have the formula $C_6H_{12}O_6$ and consist of a single sugar unit, so both are monosaccharides. Maltose is formed from two glucose units joined by an $\alpha$-1,4 glycosidic bond, making it a disaccharide.
Step 3: Identify cellulose as the polysaccharide.
Cellulose has the general formula $(C_6H_{10}O_5)_n$ where $n$ can be several thousand. It is built from $\beta$-D-glucose units linked by $\beta(1 \rightarrow 4)$ glycosidic bonds and is the most abundant natural polysaccharide, forming plant cell walls.
\[ \boxed{\text{Cellulose}} \]