A biomolecule is chemically analysed and found to contain only the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2008 - Paper 1
Question 8
A biomolecule is chemically analysed and found to contain only the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus.
The biomolecule is most likely to be
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:A biomolecule is chemically analysed and found to contain only the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 8 - 2008 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. DNA.
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Answer
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a nucleic acid that contains the elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These elements are found in the backbone of the DNA structure, where phosphate groups connect the sugars.
Step 2
B. a protein.
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Answer
Proteins are primarily made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. However, they do not contain phosphorus, which makes this option less likely.
Step 3
C. a polysaccharide.
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Answer
Polysaccharides consist mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, without nitrogen or phosphorus present. Therefore, this option is not suitable.
Step 4
D. a fat formed by condensation of glycerol with stearic acid.
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Answer
Fats are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but they do not typically contain nitrogen or phosphorus, making this option incorrect.