Biopolymer stoichiometry: what is the molecular formula of a polysaccharide formed by linking 10 glucose monomers via dehydration synthesis? (Glucose formula: C6H12O6.)

Introduction / Context:Condensation (dehydration) reactions form polymers by removing water as monomers join. Determining the empirical formula of the resulting polymer reinforces conservation-of-mass bookkeeping in biochemistry.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Monomer: glucose, C6H12O6.
• Number of monomers: n = 10.
• Each glycosidic linkage eliminates one H2O.

Concept / Approach:For a linear polymer from n hexose monomers, total atoms from monomers are C: 6n, H: 12n, O: 6n. The number of water molecules removed is (n - 1). Subtracting those atoms yields the polymer formula: C = 6n; H = 12n - 2(n - 1) = 10n + 2; O = 6n - (n - 1) = 5n + 1.

Step-by-Step Solution:1) Start: for n = 10, C = 6*10 = 60.2) Hydrogen: 12*10 - 2*(10 - 1) = 120 - 18 = 102.3) Oxygen: 6*10 - (10 - 1) = 60 - 9 = 51.4) Combine to get polymer formula: C60H102O51.

Verification / Alternative check:General formula for a homopolymer of hexoses: C6nH10n+2O5n+1. Plugging n = 10 gives C60H102O51, matching the calculation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:Option A undercounts hydrogen and oxygen; Option B ignores dehydration (simply 10 monomers summed); Option D is not an empirical molecular formula; Option E uses incorrect water-loss arithmetic.

Common Pitfalls:Forgetting that the number of water losses is (n - 1), not n, for a single unbranched chain.

Final Answer:C60H102O51