Question

quiz study guide glucose (c₆h₁₂o₆) and glycerol (c₃h₈o₃) are important biomolecules. glucose is a carbohydrate, and glycerol is part of lipids. explain what makes these two molecules different from each other even though they are made of the same elements.

Explanation:

The difference lies in molecular structure and ratio of elements. Glucose has a formula of $C_6H_{12}O_6$ and a ring - like structure in solution, while glycerol has a formula of $C_3H_8O_3$ and a linear structure with three hydroxyl groups. Also, the ratio of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms is different between them, which leads to different chemical and physical properties and different biological functions as carbohydrates and lipid - related molecules.

Answer:

The molecular structure and the ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms make glucose and glycerol different from each other despite being composed of the same elements.