Aromatherapy Certification Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Monoterpenes are organic compounds that primarily consist of two isoprene units, which are five-carbon building blocks. The fundamental structure of monoterpenes includes only carbon and hydrogen atoms. Each isoprene unit is made up of five carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms, leading to the overall composition of monoterpenes being primarily carbon and hydrogen.

In the context of essential oils and aromatherapy, monoterpenes are notable for their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Understanding that these compounds are primarily made of carbon and hydrogen helps in recognizing their role in the chemistry of essential oils and their contributions to the aroma and therapeutic benefits.

The other combinations of elements do not apply to the structure of monoterpenes; they either include elements not found in these compounds or do not represent the basic building blocks needed for their formation. Thus, carbon and hydrogen are indeed the correct and only elements that actively constitute the backbone of a monoterpene.