Chemistry of Carbohydrates

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What is the empirical formula for many, but not all, carbohydrates?

(CH2O)n (correct)

C6H12O

CH2O

C6H12O6

What are monosaccharides classified according to?

Molecular weight and functional group

Functional group, number of carbon atoms, and chiral property (correct)

Number of carbon atoms and molecular shape

Functional group and molecular weight

What is the term for the 'handedness' of a molecule?

Chirality (correct)

Stability

Stereochemistry

Achirality

What is an atom with four different substituents called?

Chiral center Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a carbon atom with four different groups bonded to it?

Asymmetric carbon Signup and view all the answers

What are the two properties conferred by the presence of asymmetric carbon atoms in carbohydrates?

Stereoisomerism and chirality Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of stereoisomers?

Isomers with same molecular and structural formulas but differ in the orientation of atoms in space Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of enantiomers?

They are nonsuperimposable mirror images of each other Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for monosaccharides differing in configuration around a single carbon atom other than the carbonyl carbon?

Epimers Signup and view all the answers

What is the sign used to express rotation to the left in optical activity?

l- Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a mixture of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory isomers?

Racemic mixture Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a mixture of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory isomers?

It has no optical activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of separating optically active isomers from a racemic mixture called?

Resolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the change in optical rotation of an aldohexose in water?

Mutarotation Signup and view all the answers

What is the sweetest monosaccharide?

Fructose Signup and view all the answers

What is the main biological function of glucose?

Human metabolism Signup and view all the answers

What is the polysaccharide composed of fructose molecules?

Inulin Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which glucose is derived from glycogen?

Glycogenolysis Signup and view all the answers