Starch is the primary storage polysaccharide in plants, synthesized through photosynthesis. Animals store energy primarily as glycogen. While cellulose is also a plant-specific structural polysaccharide, starch is the classic example of a plant-specific energy storage molecule. Note: Both cellulose and starch are plant-specific, but starch is the standard answer in this context.
3352
Which specific disaccharide is represented by the chemical formula C12H22O11?
The formula C12H22O11 is the general molecular formula for disaccharides, including lactose, sucrose, and maltose. Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar, is a disaccharide composed of one galactose molecule and one glucose molecule linked by a beta-1,4-glycosidic bond. While other sugars share this formula, lactose is a correct identification within the provided options.
3353
Which sugar is the primary component found in honey?
Honey is a natural mixture of sugars, primarily composed of monosaccharides. Fructose (levulose) is the most abundant sugar in honey, typically accounting for about 38% of its composition, followed by glucose. While sucrose is present in nectar, it is broken down by enzymes in the bees' digestive systems into glucose and fructose during the honey-making process.
3354
Why does milk develop a sour taste when left exposed to the environment for an extended period?
When milk is left out, bacteria such as Lactobacillus ferment the lactose sugar present in the milk into lactic acid. The accumulation of this acid lowers the pH of the milk, resulting in the characteristic sour taste and eventual curdling of the milk proteins.
3355
Among the listed artificial sweeteners, which one possesses the lowest relative sweetness value?
Relative sweetness is measured compared to sucrose. Aspartame is approximately 100-200 times sweeter than sucrose. In contrast, Saccharin is about 300-400 times, Sucralose is 600 times, and Alitame is roughly 2000 times sweeter than sucrose. Therefore, among the options provided, Aspartame has the lowest sweetness intensity, although it is still significantly sweeter than common table sugar.
3356
What is the common name for the chemical compound with the molecular formula C12H22O11?
The chemical formula C12H22O11 corresponds to disaccharides such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose. In common parlance, this formula is most frequently associated with sucrose, which is widely known as table sugar. It is a carbohydrate composed of glucose and fructose units linked by a glycosidic bond.
3357
Which carbohydrate is commonly utilized in the process of silvering mirrors?
Glucose is a reducing sugar containing an aldehyde group. In the Tollens' test or silver mirror test, glucose reduces silver ions (Ag+) in an ammoniacal silver nitrate solution to metallic silver (Ag), which deposits on the inner surface of the glass, creating a reflective mirror finish.
3358
How many carbon atoms are present in a single molecule of glucose?
Glucose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) with the molecular formula C6H12O6. It is a hexose, meaning it contains six carbon atoms in its molecular structure. This structure is fundamental to cellular respiration and energy production in biological organisms.
3359
What is the biochemical process responsible for the conversion of milk into curd?
The conversion of milk into curd is a fermentation process primarily driven by lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus. These bacteria metabolize the lactose sugar present in milk into lactic acid, which lowers the pH and causes the milk proteins, specifically casein, to coagulate and form the curd structure.
3360
Evaluate the following assertion and reason: Assertion (A) Cellulose is utilized in the production of shatter-proof glass. Reason (R) Polysaccharides are generally insoluble in water.
Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide used in various industrial applications, including the production of safety glass. Polysaccharides are indeed largely insoluble in water due to their high molecular weight and extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding. While both statements are scientifically accurate, the insolubility of polysaccharides is a general chemical property and does not directly explain why cellulose is specifically chosen for shatter-proof glass applications.