Nutrition

1,423.1K Views

You probably eat this chemical every day. Do you know what it is?

Share
Add Comment

  • 1 Answer(s)

    Sugars are white crystalline carbohydrates that are soluble in water and generally have a sweet taste.

    Monosaccharides are simple sugars

    Monosaccharide classifications based on the number of carbons
    Number of
    Carbons
    Category Name Examples
    4 Tetrose Erythrose, Threose
    5 Pentose Arabinose, Ribose, Ribulose, Xylose, Xylulose, Lyxose
    6 Hexose Allose, Altrose, Fructose, Galactose, Glucose, Gulose, Idose, Mannose, Sorbose, Talose, Tagatose
    7 Heptose Sedoheptulose, Mannoheptulose

    Many saccharide structures differ only in the orientation of the hydroxyl groups (-OH). This slight structural difference makes a big difference in the biochemical properties, organoleptic properties (e.g., taste), and in the physical properties such as melting point and Specific Rotation (how polarized light is distorted). A chain-form monosaccharide that has a carbonyl group (C=O) on an end carbon forming an aldehyde group (-CHO) is classified as an aldose. When the carbonyl group is on an inner atom forming a ketone, it is classified as a ketose.

    anikam Expert Answered on 18th August 2015.
    Add Comment
  • Your Answer

    By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.
  • More puzzles to try-