Biochemistry I - Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides

Practice flashcards based on lecture notes covering key concepts of carbohydrates and monosaccharides in biochemistry.

What are Monosaccharides?

Monosaccharides are simple sugars that are the basic building blocks of carbohydrates, typically having 3 to 9 carbon atoms.

What is the chemical formula for carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are represented by the general chemical formula (CH2O)n.

What is a Disaccharide?

A disaccharide is formed by the linkage of two monosaccharides, such as sucrose (table sugar).

What is a Polysaccharide?

Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides, such as amylose, consisting of 20 or more subunits.

What does aldose refer to in carbohydrates?

An aldose is a monosaccharide with a carbonyl group at the first carbon position, forming an aldehyde.

What does ketose refer to in carbohydrates?

A ketose is a monosaccharide with a carbonyl group at any position other than the first, forming a ketone.

What is the sweetness ranking for D-Sucrose, D-Fructose, and D-Glucose?

D-Sucrose is the baseline (1.00), D-Fructose is sweeter (1.14), and D-Glucose is less sweet (0.70).

What characterizes the 'D' and 'L' forms of sugars?

The 'D' form of a sugar has the hydroxyl group on the right side of the highest numbered chiral carbon in Fischer projections, while 'L' has it on the left.

What is Galactosemia?

Galactosemia is a metabolic disorder caused by the inability to metabolize galactose, leading to damage to the liver, eyes, kidneys, and brain.

What are sugar acids?

Sugar acids are derivatives of carbohydrates where the terminal hydroxyl or aldehyde group has been oxidized to a carboxylic acid.

What are sugar alcohols?

Sugar alcohols are formed by the reduction of the aldehyde or ketone group of carbohydrates.

What is the impact of artificial sweeteners like Sucralose?

Sucralose is much sweeter than sugar (approximately 600 times sweeter) and is used as a low-calorie alternative in food.

How do you define an Epimer?

Epimers are sugars that differ in configuration at a single stereogenic center.

What is the importance of vitamin C in relation to carbohydrates?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is derived from glucose and is essential for various biological functions.

Describe the structural difference between pyranose and furanose forms of sugars.

Pyranose forms are six-membered rings, while furanose forms are five-membered rings, both including oxygen.

What do the Benedict's and Tollens tests indicate?

Both tests are used to identify reducing sugars that can be oxidized.