Question

A team of researchers is investigating a new carbon-rich molecule important to life. They find evidence for the presence of both cis and trans isomers of the molecule in a mixture of near-pure molecules. Which of the following must be contained in the new molecule?

A. A double bond
B. An aliphatic hydrocarbon
C. A hydrocarbon structure

Answer 1

A. A double bond

Step-by-step explanation:

Trans and cis Isomerism is a form of isomerism that specifically refers to alkenes, which is to say, aliphatic chains containing a double bond between two carbon atoms. Technically speaking, options B. and C. are both correct, because an alkene contains aliphatic hydrocarbons. However, neither of those options necessarily relate to cis and trans isomers.