Which term describes a molecule made up of many sugar units?

Which term describes a molecule made up of many sugar units?

• A. Polysaccharide
• B. Monosaccharide
• C. Disaccharide
• D. Carbohydrate

Answer: (A)

Think about how sugars join to form larger molecules. A monosaccharide is a single sugar unit, a disaccharide is two sugar units linked together, and a polysaccharide is made from many sugar units connected by glycosidic bonds. Thus, a molecule described as made up of many sugar units is a polysaccharide. Examples include starch and glycogen for energy storage, and cellulose for plant structure. Carbohydrate is the broad category that includes all these forms, but the description specifically points to the polymer made of many sugar units.

Think about how sugars join to form larger molecules. A monosaccharide is a single sugar unit, a disaccharide is two sugar units linked together, and a polysaccharide is made from many sugar units connected by glycosidic bonds. Thus, a molecule described as made up of many sugar units is a polysaccharide. Examples include starch and glycogen for energy storage, and cellulose for plant structure. Carbohydrate is the broad category that includes all these forms, but the description specifically points to the polymer made of many sugar units.