MUFY Chemistry Unit 1

Sample VCE Examination Questions Biological Molecules Carbohydrates, Fats, and Oils

Question 1
When glucose molecules undergo a chemical reaction to form cellulose in plants
A. two hydroxyl groups undergo a condensation reaction to form an ester linkage and water.
B. two hydroxyl groups undergo a condensation reaction to form an ether linkage and water.
C. two hydroxyl groups undergo an addition reaction to form an ether linkage and water.
D. two hydroxyl groups undergo an oxidation reaction to form an ester linkage and water.
Answer B Cellulose is a condensation polymer of glucose. In this process the hydroxyl groups on two different
glucose molecules (or terminal units already in chains) react to form an ether group and water.

Question 2
Maltotriose is a trisaccharide that is formed when three glucose molecules link together.
The molar mass of glucose, C6H12O6, is 180 g mol1.
The molar mass of maltotriose is
A. 472 g mol1
B. 486 g mol1

C. 504 g mol1
D. 540 g mol1

Answer C During the formation of one molecule of the trisaccharide, two molecules of water are released as
hydroxyl groups on adjacent glucose molecules react to form ether (glycosidic) links.
When n glucose molecules link together to form a polysaccharide n-1 H2O molecules are condensed out.

Question 3
The general formula of a triglyceride can be represented as follows.
Answer A. In hydrolysis of a triglyceride, H2O reacts across each ester
groups to it into a carboxyl, -COOH, and hydroxyl, -OH groups.

Which one of the following equations represents the hydrolysis of a triglyceride?

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MUFY Chemistry Unit 1

Sample VCE Examination Questions Biological Molecules Carbohydrates, Fats, and Oils

Question 4
a. The cellulose that is present in plant matter cannot be directly fermented to produce bioethanol. The cellulose
polymer must rst be broken down into its constituent monomers.
A section of cellulose polymer is shown below.

i. What is the name of the monomer from which cellulose is formed? Glucose
ii. Write the chemical equation to show the formation of ethanol by fermentation of the cellulose monomer.
(Symbols of state are NOT important).
C6H12O6 2CH3CH2OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)
iii. Ethanol can be manufactured directly from ethene gas in the presence of a catalyst. Write a balanced equation
for this reaction. C2H4(g) + H2O(g) CH3CH2OH(g) with H3PO4 catalyst

b. Triglycerides are an important source of energy in the body. During digestion, triglycerides are broken down in
the small intestine by the enzyme lipase. An incomplete chemical equation that shows the hydrolysis of a
triglyceride is shown below

i. In the spaces provided above, balance the equation by adding appropriate coefcients for
product A and product B. 3 and 1
ii. The fatty acid produced in the above reaction is completely oxidised to produce carbon dioxide and water.
Write a balanced equation for the oxidation reaction (symbols of state are not important).
CH3(CH2)16COOH + 26O2 18CO2 + 18H2O

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MUFY Chemistry Unit 1

Sample VCE Examination Questions Biological Molecules Carbohydrates, Fats, and Oils

Question 4
Below are the structures of a number of imporatnat oragnic molecules.

Answer the following questions. (The same letter may be used more than once).
i. Which molecule needs methanol as one of the reactants along with a carboxylic acid and an acid catalyst? F
ii. Which molecule is the product of a condensation polymersiation reaction? H
iii. Which two molecules are produced when a trigylyceride containing no carbon-carbon double bonds undergoes
hydrolysis? D and E
iv. Which molecule is classed as aromatic (containg a benzene ring)? A
v. Which two molecules can react to form a disaccharide? B and C
vi. 0.001 mole of which molecule will react completely with 0.320 g of bromine? G
vii. Which molecule is a saturated fatty acid? D

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