Question

what is a polysaccharide?
select the correct answer below:
a polymer of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds is known as a polysaccharide.
a polysaccharide is formed by the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds with acid.
polysaccharides are simple sugars, the most common of which is glucose.
a polysaccharide is the sugar formed when two monosaccharides (simple sugars) are joined by glycosidic

Explanation:

• Option 1: Polysaccharides are polymers of monosaccharides. For example, starch is a polysaccharide made up of many glucose (a monosaccharide) units linked by glycosidic bonds. This is a correct definition.
• Option 2: Hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds breaks down polysaccharides (not forms them). For example, when starch (a polysaccharide) undergoes hydrolysis, it can break down into smaller sugar units. So this option is incorrect.
• Option 3: Simple sugars are monosaccharides (e.g., glucose). Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of many monosaccharide units. So this option is incorrect.
• Option 4: When two monosaccharides are joined by a glycosidic bond, a disaccharide (e.g., sucrose: glucose + fructose) is formed, not a polysaccharide. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

A. A polymer of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds is known as a polysaccharide.