Profiles in Carbon-Based Molecules
hat
is the
monomer?
What
is the
monomer?
Glucose - C6H12O6
Carbon-Based Molecule Profile: Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

The most important carbohydrate monomer is glucose (a simple sugar or monosaccharide).
o
Glucose has six carbons and is made by plants during photosynthesis.
o
Plants bond glucose molecules together to form longer chain carbohydrates (complex
sugars called polysaccharides – polymers of monosaccharides).

Common carbohydrates (polysaccharides) made by plants are:
1. Starch – is a branched molecule made to store energy by plants (can
be used for energy by both plants and animals).
2. Cellulose – is a strait and rigid molecule that makes up the cell walls
of plants – it is the most common organic molecule and only a few
animals can break it down and use it as food.

Important carbohydrate in animals:
1. Glycogen – is made and stored in animals. Like starch in plants,
animals can break glycogen down in to its glucose monomers and use
them as energy.
Summary of Organic Molecule
Carbohydrates are made up of the monomer glucose, which is the most common and important
source of energy for our and other animals’ cells. Glucose is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen. Common plant carbohydrates are starch (which plants make to store energy for when they
need it) and cellulose (which forms the rigid cell walls in plant cells). Animals make glycogen from
glucose to store energy (like starch in plants) for when they need it.