Question

Carbohydrates and proteins are built up from their basic building blocks by the ________?

1) addition of a water molecule between each two units
2) addition of a carbon atom between each two units
3) removal of a water molecule between each two units
4) removal of a nitrogen atom between each two units

Answer 1

Carbohydrates and proteins are built up through dehydration reactions, where a water molecule is removed as monomers bond to form polymers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbohydrates and proteins are built up from their basic building blocks by the removal of a water molecule between each two units, which is known as a dehydration or condensation reaction. These reactions involve monomers, such as amino acids for proteins and monosaccharides for carbohydrates, joining together to form polymers. Each time a bond is formed between two monomers, a water molecule is released; this is essential for the formation of proteins with peptide bonds and carbohydrates with glycosidic bonds.