What is the chemical formula for glucose (C6H12O6)?

Glucose is a simple sugar and is one of the most important carbohydrates.

It's a monosaccharide that plays a key role in the metabolism of energy in living organisms.

The chemical formula for glucose can be determined by understanding its molecular structure.

Step 1: Recognize the Basic Structure of Glucose

Monosaccharide: Glucose is a single sugar molecule, classified as a monosaccharide.
Carbon Backbone: Glucose has a backbone of six carbon atoms.

Step 2: Determine the Composition

Carbon (C): There are six carbon atoms in glucose.
Hydrogen (H): Each carbon atom in glucose is either attached to a hydrogen atom or is part of a hydroxyl (OH) group. This gives a total of twelve hydrogen atoms.
Oxygen (O): There are six oxygen atoms in glucose. Each of the carbon atoms (except one) is bonded to an oxygen atom, either as part of a hydroxyl group or as a carbonyl (C=O) group.

Step 3: Compile the Chemical Formula

Counting Atoms: The formula for glucose can be compiled by counting the total number of each type of atom. It contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms.
Chemical Formula: The chemical formula for glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆.

Conclusion

The chemical formula for glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆.

This formula reflects its basic structure: a six-carbon chain with twelve hydrogen atoms and six oxygen atoms.

Glucose is a fundamental molecule in biology, serving as a primary source of energy for cells.

Understanding its chemical formula is essential in fields such as biochemistry, nutrition, and medicine.

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