MCQ Detailed View

Sucrose is one of the most common sugars found in nature. It is a carbohydrate made up of two monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. These two units are linked together by a glycosidic bond to form sucrose, which is chemically classified as a disaccharide.

The molecular formula of sucrose is C12H22O11. This means that each molecule of sucrose contains 12 atoms of carbon (C), 22 atoms of hydrogen (H), and 11 atoms of oxygen (O). The molecular weight of sucrose is approximately 342 grams per mole. This specific ratio of atoms distinguishes sucrose from other sugars such as glucose (C6H12O6), which is a monosaccharide with a different composition.

Sucrose occurs naturally in many plants, especially sugarcane and sugar beets, and is widely used as table sugar. When consumed, enzymes in the human digestive system break sucrose down into glucose and fructose, which are absorbed and used for energy.

Let’s look at the other given options:

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  NH3 (Ammonia): This is not a sugar; it is a simple compound made of nitrogen and hydrogen.

  
  


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  C6H12O6 (Glucose): This is a monosaccharide sugar, not sucrose.

  
  


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  C6H6 (Benzene): This is an aromatic hydrocarbon and is not related to sugars.

  
  

The unique formula C12H22O11 represents sucrose because it combines the elements of glucose and fructose with the removal of one molecule of water (H2O) during the formation of the disaccharide. This composition is essential knowledge in organic chemistry for understanding carbohydrates and their roles in energy production.