Chapter 1, Problem 1.74P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It is to be determined, whether the given molecule is a carbohydrate, and if so, whether it is a monosaccharide.

Concept introduction:

Carbohydrates are also called saccharides. Carbohydrates are characterized by their chemical composition. Carbohydrates are composed of only carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. There are two hydrogen atoms for every oxygen atom, regardless of how many carbon atoms are present, thus, the molecular formula for carbohydrates is ${\text{C}}_{\text{x}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2y}}{\text{O}}_{\text{y}}$. Monosaccharides are called simple sugars, with the number of oxygen atoms the same as the number of carbon atoms. Thus, the general molecular formula for a monosaccharide is ${\text{C}}_{\text{x}}{\text{H}}_{\text{2x}}{\text{O}}_{\text{x}}$. Monosaccharides are cyclic as well as non-cyclic. All the monosaccharides are essentially carbohydrates.