Final answer:
A tetraterpene has eight isoprene units and a total of 40 carbon atoms. Terpe-nes are classified by isoprene units they contain, with tetraterpe-nes having eight.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tetraterpene is a type of terpene that has eight isoprene units. Each isoprene unit consists of five carbon atoms. Therefore, a tetraterpene contains a total of 40 carbon atoms because it is made up of eight isoprene units (8 isoprene units x 5 carbons per isoprene unit = 40 carbons). Terpe-nes like tetraterpe-nes are classified by the number of isoprene units they contain, with monoterpe-nes having two, sesquiterpe-nes three, diterpe-nes four, and so on. Tetrater pe-nes, such as β-carotene, are important biological pigments involved in processes like photosynthesis.