Question

1. a glucose molecule has a molecular formula of c₆h₁₂o₆. when two glucose molecules are linked together to make maltose, the resulting molecular formula is c₁₂h₂₂o₁₁. briefly explain why the molecular formula of maltose is not c₁₂h₂₄o₁₂.

Explanation:

When two glucose molecules ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) combine to form maltose, a condensation reaction occurs. In this reaction, a water molecule ($H_2O$) is removed. Each glucose molecule contributes 6 carbon atoms ($6 + 6=12$ carbon atoms in total), 12 hydrogen atoms each but two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are lost as a water molecule during the bond - formation process. So, instead of having $12 + 12 = 24$ hydrogen atoms and $6+6 = 12$ oxygen atoms as if they just combined without any reaction, we have $24 - 2=22$ hydrogen atoms and $12 - 1 = 11$ oxygen atoms.

Answer:

When two glucose molecules combine to form maltose, a condensation reaction takes place with the elimination of a water molecule ($H_2O$), reducing the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the resulting maltose molecule compared to simply adding the atoms of two non - reacting glucose molecules.