Question

Mammals do not produce digestive enzyme B. However, sheep and cattle are two types of mammals that contain microorganisms in their digestive tract that produce enzyme B.

Which of the following best describes the process that adds a monosaccharide to an existing polysaccharide?
The monosaccharide is completely broken down by a specific enzyme and then the atoms are reorganized and made into a polysaccharide.

A

Ionic bonds are formed between adjacent carbon atoms of the monosaccharide and the polysaccharide by adding water (H2O) and a specific enzyme.

B

A specific enzyme removes the hydrogen (H) from the monosaccharide and the hydroxide (OH) from the polysaccharide, creating a bond between the two and creating a water (H2O) molecule.

C

A specific enzyme removes two hydroxides (OH) , one from the monosaccharide, and one from the polysaccharide, creating a bond between the two monosaccharides and creating a hydrogen peroxide ( H2O2 ) molecule.

D

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

This is called a dehydration reaction because water is released in the reaction for every glycosidic bond formed between two monomers. On one end of the polysaccharide, is an available 4’ carbon a --OH and an --H. This end of the polysaccharide will bond with the 1’ carbon of the monomer to form a glycosidic bond. The 1' carbon of the monomer will lose its --H while the 4’ carbon at the end of the polymer will lose an --OH. This releases a water molecule (--H + --OH --> H₂O) which is why the process is called a dehydration reaction.

Answer 2

The correct option is this: A specific enzyme removes the hydrogen from the monosaccharide and the hydroxide from the polysaccharide, creating a bond between the two and creating a water molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The process by which a monosaccharide molecule is added to an existing polysaccharide in biological systems is called CONDENSATION POLYMERIZATION.

During the process of condensation, an hydrogen atom and an hydroxide molecule from the reactants come together to form a water molecule; this leads to the formation of covalent bond between the reactants.

Condensation reaction is used in living organisms to produce complex macro molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, which are needed by the body for health growth.

Remember, condensation reaction always results in loss of water molecules and formation of more complex molecule. One example of monosaccharide is glucose while cellulose (found in plants) and starch (found in animals) are examples of polysaccharides.