1.2 Carbohydrates - monosaccharides

Question 1

What is the general formula for a monosaccharide? and give an example of one.

Answer 1

CnH2nOn
Glucose (Hexose sugar) - C6H12O6

Question 2

What is the difference between an alpha glucose molecule and a beta glucose molecule?

Answer 2

In the beta glucose molecule, the H-OH is flipped around.

Question 3

How do you test for reducing sugars?

Answer 3

1) Add 2cm^3 of food sample into a test tube, if sample isn’t already ready, grind it up in water>
2) Add an equal volume of BENDICT’S REAGENT
3) Heat mixture in water bath for 5 minutes
4) none = blue, very low = green, low = yellow, medium = orange, high = brick red