Which of the following represents the chemical formula for a monomer of carbohydrates?

• A. \(\mathrm{C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}}\)
• B. \(\mathrm{C_6H_{10}O_5}\)
• C. \(\mathrm{C_2H_5OH}\)
• D. \(\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}\)

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the question. The problem is asking for the chemical formula of a monomer of carbohydrates. Monomers are the basic building blocks of larger molecules, and in the case of carbohydrates, the monomers are simple sugars known as monosaccharides.
2. Step 2: Recall the general formula for monosaccharides. Monosaccharides typically follow the formula \( ext{C}_n ext{H}_{2n} ext{O}_n\), where 'n' is the number of carbon atoms. Common examples include glucose (\( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6\)) and fructose (\( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6\)).
3. Step 3: Analyze the given options. Compare each chemical formula provided in the question to the general formula for monosaccharides. For example: \( ext{C}_{12} ext{H}_{22} ext{O}_{11}\) represents a disaccharide (e.g., sucrose), \( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{10} ext{O}_5\) represents a polysaccharide subunit, and \( ext{C}_2 ext{H}_5 ext{OH}\) represents ethanol, which is not a carbohydrate.
4. Step 4: Identify the correct formula. The formula \( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6\) matches the general formula for monosaccharides and represents glucose, a common monomer of carbohydrates.
5. Step 5: Conclude that \( ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6\) is the correct answer because it is the chemical formula for a monomer of carbohydrates, specifically a monosaccharide.