Chapter 5, Problem 5.1CR

What is the fundamental basis for the differences between large carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids?

Summary Introduction

To determine: The basis of difference between carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Introduction: Polymers are long molecule structures that are made up of similar building blocks called as monomers. Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are large biopolymers.

Explanation of Solution

Carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids are large biopolymers that have different monomer units:

• The monomers in carbohydrates are monosaccharides (simple sugar). They are made up of C, H, and O.
• Proteins are made up of monomers called amino acids. There are twenty amino acids that are used to build polypeptide chains in a protein.
• Nucleic acids are long chains of small molecules called nucleotides. Nucleotide structure is made up of a pentose sugar, nitrogenous base, and phosphate groups.

Conclusion

The monomer units are the fundamental basis for the difference between large carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.