Carbohydrates are large molecules with the molecular formula C x (H2O)y. In which of the following pairs is x not equal to y?

Answer Details

Carbohydrates have the molecular formula Cx(H2O)y, which means they have x number of carbon atoms and y number of water molecules. The number of carbon atoms determines the size of the carbohydrate molecule, while the number of water molecules determines the degree of hydration. In glucose and starch, x is equal to y, so they have the same number of carbon atoms and water molecules. Maltose and sucrose are also examples of carbohydrates where x is equal to y. However, in fructose and sucrose, x is not equal to y. Fructose has the same molecular formula as glucose (C6H12O6), but its atoms are arranged differently. Sucrose, on the other hand, is made up of glucose and fructose molecules bonded together. Thus, the molecular formula for sucrose is C12H22O11, which means x is 12 and y is 11. In summary, the pair where x is not equal to y is sucrose and fructose.