Biologically Important Monosaccharides

Vocabulary flashcards covering the 6 biologically important monosaccharides, their functions, alternative names, blood glucose regulation, and structural properties.

Biologically Important Monosaccharides

The six monosaccharides that play particularly important roles in the functioning of the human body: D-glyceraldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, D-glucose, D-galactose, D-fructose, and D-ribose.

D-glyceraldehyde and Dihydroxyacetone

Two triose monosaccharides that serve as important intermediates in glycolysis.

Glycolysis

A series of metabolic reactions whereby glucose is converted into two molecules of pyruvate.

D-glucose

The most abundant monosaccharide in nature with formula $C_6H_{12}O_6$, serving as the primary source of energy for human cells and the most important monosaccharide from a human nutritional standpoint.

Grape Sugar

An alternate name for D-glucose derived from its abundance in ripe fruits, particularly ripe grapes, which consist of $20\text{--}30\times 10^{-2}$ ($20\text{--}30\text{\%}$) glucose by mass.

Intravenous Glucose Solution

A $5\text{\%}\,(m/v)$ glucose solution used in hospitals as an intravenous source of nourishment for patients who cannot consume food by mouth.

Dextrose

A name for D-glucose that highlights the fact that optically active D-glucose in aqueous solution rotates plane-polarized light to the right.

Blood Sugar

A term for D-glucose that draws attention to the presence of dissolved glucose in human blood.

Normal Blood Glucose Range

The standard concentration of glucose in human blood, which ranges from $70\text{--}100\,mg/dL$ (where $1\,dL = 100\,mL$).

Post-Prandial Glucose Concentration

A blood glucose level of about $130\,mg/dL$ occurring in the first hour after eating, which then decreases over the next $2\text{--}3\,hours$ back to the normal range.

Insulin and Glucagon

Hormones that regulate blood glucose concentrations to keep them within normal limits required for proper body function.

Diabetes

A medical condition resulting from the abnormal functioning of the hormonal control process for blood-glucose levels.

Epimers

Diastereomers that differ in configuration at only one chiral center, such as D-galactose and D-glucose.

D-galactose

An epimer of D-glucose that is seldom encountered as a free monosaccharide, synthesized from glucose in human mammary glands for use in lactose.

Lactose

Also known as milk sugar; a disaccharide consisting of one glucose unit and one galactose unit.

Brain Sugar

A name for D-galactose based on its presence as a component in glycoproteins (protein-carbohydrate compounds) found in brain and nerve tissue.