Which of the following molecules is smallest?

a.  sucrose - This is a disaccharide which means that it is formed from TWO monosaccharides.  Although this is a relatively small molecule, it is not the smallest in this group of choices.      

b.  glucose - If this is your answer, you are right on target!!!  Glucose is the only monosaccharide in this group of choices.       

c.  glycogen - Sorry... Glycogen, the storage form of excess sugar molecules in some animal cells, is a polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules.      

d.  starch - Again, sorry!  Starch, the storage form of sugar in plant cells, is a polysaccharide similar to glycogen.

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Emma Erdahl, Associate Professor of Biology
Northern Virginia Community College
Revised 8/23/00