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What is a glycosidic bond?

  1. A bond between nucleotides in DNA

  2. A type of ionic bond

  3. A covalent bond between two monosaccharides

  4. A hydrogen bond in proteins

The correct answer is: A covalent bond between two monosaccharides

A glycosidic bond is specifically a covalent bond that forms between two monosaccharides through a condensation reaction. This process involves the removal of a water molecule, allowing the hydroxyl group from one monosaccharide to react with the hydroxyl group of another, resulting in the formation of a glycosidic linkage. This bond is crucial for the structural formation of polysaccharides, such as starch and cellulose, which are essential for energy storage and structural integrity in plants. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe a glycosidic bond. Bonds between nucleotides in DNA are phosphodiester bonds, which link the sugar of one nucleotide to the phosphate group of another. Ionic bonds are characterized by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, which is not the mechanism behind glycosidic bond formation. Finally, hydrogen bonds in proteins are weak interactions that play a significant role in stabilizing protein structures but are unrelated to the bonding of sugars.