Bio-macromolecules (2016 VCE)

1)The diagram below represents a certain biomolecule.

a) Name the class of organic biomolecules to which the biomolecule above belongs

Solution

 

b) This biomolecule can be hydrolysed to form glycerol and erucic acid, a fatty acid. Erucic acid is classified as monounsaturated. Explain why erucic acid is classified as monounsaturated.

Solution
c) Erucic acid can be extracted from plants. It can react with methanol to make methyl erucate, which can be used as the biofuel known as biodiesel. Write the semi-structural formula of methyl erucate.


 

Solution

d) Describe one environmental advantage of using biodiesel as a fuel rather than petrodiesel, which is produced from crude oil.

Soluiton