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QuestionChemistry

A molecule with the chemical formula C^6H^12O^6 is probably a ________. A. nucleic acid B. polysaccharide C. fatty acid D. monosaccharide
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Answer

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Step 1:
I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:

Step 2:
: Analyze the Chemical Formula

Let's break down the chemical formula $$\mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_{6}$$:
- Carbon (C): 6 atoms - Hydrogen (H): 12 atoms - Oxygen (O): 6 atoms

Step 3:
: Identify Key Characteristics

- The formula represents a simple sugar molecule - It has a 1:2:1 ratio of carbon:hydrogen:oxygen - This is the typical molecular structure of a monosaccharide

Step 4:
: Recall Monosaccharide Properties

Monosaccharides are: - The simplest form of carbohydrates - Basic sugar units that cannot be broken down into simpler sugars - Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose

Step 5:
: Eliminate Other Options

- Nucleic acids have different molecular compositions - Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of multiple sugar units - Fatty acids contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen but in different proportions

Final Answer

Monosaccharide The chemical formula \mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_{6} represents a monosaccharide, which is a simple sugar molecule.