Carbohydrates Flashcards
1
Q
What is the empirical formula for carbohydrates?
A
(CH2O)n in n > 3.
2
Q
What are some general properties of monosaccharides?
A
Colourless.
Crystalline.
Water soluble.
Sweet tasting.
3
Q
What are the two main families of monosaccharides?
A
Aldoses and ketoses.
4
Q
What is the simplest ketose sugar?
A
Dihydroxyacetone.
5
Q
What is the simplest aldose sugar?
A
Glyceraldehyde.
6
Q
What are epimers?
A
An epimer must have only 1 difference in structure - 1 carbon group flips.
7
Q
How do alpha and beta glucose differ?
A
Alpha glucose has OH below; beta glucose has OH above.
8
Q
Why do monosaccharides taste sweet?
A
They form hydrogen bonds with your taste buds.
