What is the molecular formula of Glucose?

Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is one of the most important carbohydrates in biology. It is a simple sugar or monosaccharide, meaning it cannot be broken down into smaller sugar units by hydrolysis. The molecular formula shows that each glucose molecule contains six carbon atoms (C), twelve hydrogen atoms (H), and six oxygen atoms (O).

This ratio (1:2:1 for C:H:O) is typical of carbohydrates and reflects the general formula (CH₂O)ₙ, where n = 6 for glucose. The molecular formula C₆H₁₂O₆ represents both forms of glucose — α-glucose and β-glucose — which differ slightly in the arrangement of atoms but have the same composition.

Glucose plays a central role in cellular metabolism. It is the primary source of energy for cells in most living organisms. During cellular respiration, glucose reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP):
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

This energy is used by cells for vital processes like growth, repair, and movement. In plants, glucose is produced during photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water combine in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll:
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Glucose also serves as a building block for other important carbohydrates such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose. In humans and animals, glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, while in plants it is stored as starch.

The understanding of glucose’s molecular formula and structure is essential for studying energy metabolism, nutrition, and biochemistry. Its universal role as an energy source highlights why C₆H₁₂O₆ is one of the most well-known and biologically significant chemical formulas in science