Reducing sugars are characterized by the presence of:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A free aldehyde or ketone group
Reducing sugars possess a free anomeric carbon that carries an aldehyde (aldoses) or can open to reveal a ketone (ketoses), enabling them to donate electrons in redox reactions. Common reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, and lactose. Sucrose is a notable non-reducing sugar because both anomeric carbons are locked in the glycosidic bond.
Keep practicing
More Carbohydrates and Glycoconjugates questions
- Which of the following is a non-reducing sugar?
- Glycoproteins are molecules composed of:
- Glycolipids are important components of:
- Which carbohydrate derivative plays a key role in blood group antigens?
- The glycosidic bond in maltose is between:
- Which carbohydrate is commonly used as an energy source by cells?