Chapter 21, Problem 27A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The functional groups present in simple sugars (monosaccharides) needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Monosaccharides are simplest carbohydrates which don’t undergo further hydrolysis as these contain only one sugar unit. For examples, glucose is a monosaccharide.

Answer to Problem 27A

Simple sugars contain aldehyde or ketone group along with many hydroxyl groups.

Explanation of Solution

Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones.

Polyhydroxyaldehydes are known as aldoses. Based on number of carbon atoms these can be aldotriose (D-Glyceraldehyde), aldotetrose (D-Erythrose), aldopentose (D-Ribose) and aldohexose (D-Glucose).

Polyhydroxyketones are known as ketoses. For example D-Fructose is one ketohexose where there are six carbons, one keto group and 5 hydroxyl groups.