Which Group of Small Molecules Best Fit the Boxes Associated

Question

Which group of small molecules best fit the boxes associated with the reaction shown?

A) I 
B) II 
C) III 
D) IV

Accepted Answer

The reaction shown is a condensation reaction, where two molecules are joined together with the loss of a small molecule, typically water. This is characteristic of group II molecules, which include amino acids, nucleotides, and sugars that undergo dehydration synthesis to form larger macromolecules like proteins, DNA, and carbohydrates. Group I molecules are mainly single carbon compounds like CO2 and CH4, group III molecules are fatty acids and lipids that undergo esterification instead of condensation, and group IV molecules are small polar compounds like glucose that do undergo condensation but are not as versatile as group II molecules.