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Title: Write the formula for a monosaccharide that has three carbons? Post by: Illy222 on Jan 27, 2021 I'm not asking just for the answer, but how one arrives at the answer. I know the answer: c3h6O3
I know the a monosaccharide derives from cH20. The presumption is that adding 3 carbon atoms changes the concentration of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, but I don't know why or how. Forgive my ignorance. Title: Re: Write the formula for a monosaccharide that has three carbons? Post by: bio_man on Jan 27, 2021 Hi Illy222 (https://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=977146)
(https://biology-forums.com/gallery/42/6_27_01_21_10_32_04.png) (https://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=42448) It's based on the general structure of a monosaccharide, how the atoms bond together. Notice how for each subsequent carbon along the molecules backbone, it opens up new bonding sites for oxygen and hydrogen. This occurs at a fixed ratio. Title: Re: Write the formula for a monosaccharide that has three carbons? Post by: Illy222 on Jan 27, 2021 What's the explanation for this ratio though? Why does adding two carbon atoms give me 4 more hydrogen atoms? I guess what I am asking is, does this question depend on my knowledge of electron concentrations of each element and the way they bond etc. or rather the structure of a monosaccharide?
Title: Re: Write the formula for a monosaccharide that has three carbons? Post by: bio_man on Jan 28, 2021 As the molecule grows, and carbons are added, each carbon can bond to up to four atoms - carbon has a valence of 4. Two of these bonds are dedicated to adjacent carbons, leaving us with 2. As you can see, they are occupied by hydrogen H and hydroxyl OH, hence the ratio of 2 hydrogens and 1 oxygen per one carbon.
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