Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is a saccharide?

1. A simple or complex sugar

2. A type of enzyme

3. A compound of acids

4. A structural protein

The correct answer is: A simple or complex sugar

A saccharide is defined as a type of sugar, which can be categorized into simple sugars (monosaccharides) or complex sugars (polysaccharides). Monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, are the most basic form of carbohydrates and are the building blocks for more complex forms. Polysaccharides, like starch and cellulose, are formed by the linking of multiple monosaccharides. This categorization is essential in various fields, including nutrition and biochemistry, as sugars play a critical role in providing energy for living organisms and serve as critical components in many biological processes. The other options do not accurately describe saccharides. Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate chemical reactions, acids are compounds that can donate protons or accept electron pairs, and structural proteins serve to provide support and shape to cells and tissues. Therefore, the understanding that saccharides represent a form of sugar, either simple or complex, provides a clear distinction from these other categories.