Presence of Asymmetric Carbon Atoms
On careful examination of monosaccharide molecules, we see that they contain one or more chiral carbon atoms. For example, glucose has four chiral carbon atoms (carbons 2, 3, 4, and 5). We know that if the molecule has n chiral carbon atoms, it will have 2n optical isomers. Therefore, glucose has 24 or sixteen optical isomers. Three of these are sixteen aldohexoses which are D-glucose, D-galactose, and D-galactose, D-mannose.
It may be noted that in all three of these molecules, the configuration of C-5 is the same (-OH on the right) and hence, they belong to the D-family.
Monosaccharides
The branch of chemistry that deals with the molecules involved in living things is called biochemistry. Carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and nucleic acids are some of the major components of our body. These are collectively called biomolecules.
A biomolecule is sometimes associated as a biological molecule, a term that refers to molecules found in living objects that are important for one or additional biological processes, analogous to cell division, morphogenesis, or development. Large macromolecules (or polyanions) similar to proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and smaller moieties, similar to natural products, are all examples of biomolecules. Natural material is the more broad term for this type of material. Biomolecules are essential factors of living organisms. While endogenous biomolecules are made within the organism, organisms usually require external biomolecules, such as specific nutrients, to be present.
Carbohydrates are optically active polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones or substances that upon hydrolyzed would produce these types of compounds.
Table of Content
- What are Monosaccharides?
- Structures of Monosaccharides
- D- and L- Designation
- Where can we find Glucose?
- Presence of Asymmetric Carbon Atoms
- Examples of Monosaccharides
- Sample Questions on Monosaccharides
- Preparation of Glucose