Textbook Question
Classify the following carbohydrates as a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide, or polysaccharide:
(a) carageenan, a seaweed extract containing up to 25,000 carbohydrate units
Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696
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Table of contents
- Ch.4 Introduction to Organic Compounds75
- Ch.5 Chemical Reactions19
- Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules62
- Ch.7 States of Matter and Their Attractive Forces8
- Ch.8 Solution Chemistry Sugar and Water Do Mix4
- Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell89
- Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role69
- Ch.12 Food as Fuel An Overview of Metabolism65
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 2a
Classify the following carbohydrates as a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide, or polysaccharide:
(a) raffinose, a soluble fiber containing three carbohydrate units
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the classification of carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units they contain. Monosaccharides have one sugar unit, disaccharides have two, oligosaccharides have 3-10 sugar units, and polysaccharides have more than 10 sugar units.
Identify the number of sugar units in raffinose: The problem states that raffinose contains three carbohydrate units.
Compare the number of sugar units in raffinose to the carbohydrate classifications: Since raffinose has three sugar units, it falls within the range of 3-10 sugar units, which corresponds to oligosaccharides.
Conclude the classification: Based on the number of sugar units, raffinose is classified as an oligosaccharide.
Review the definition of oligosaccharides for clarity: Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates composed of 3-10 monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. This matches the description of raffinose.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Monosaccharides
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules. They serve as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates. Common examples include glucose and fructose, which are vital for energy production in living organisms.
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Reduction of Monosaccharides Example 1
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are carbohydrates formed by the combination of two monosaccharide molecules through a glycosidic bond. They are commonly found in nature and include sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar). Disaccharides are broken down into their monosaccharide components during digestion.
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Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates composed of 3 to 10 monosaccharide units linked together. They are often found in beans, legumes, and certain vegetables, and can serve as prebiotics, promoting gut health. Raffinose, mentioned in the question, is an example of an oligosaccharide made up of three sugar units: galactose, glucose, and fructose.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Identify the following as characteristics of soluble or insoluble fiber:
(a) can mix with water
Textbook Question
Identify the following as containing soluble or insoluble fiber:
(a) oatmeal
Textbook Question
Classify each of the following monosaccharides by the type of carbonyl group and the number of carbons (for example, a monosaccharide with an aldehyde and three carbons is an aldotriose).
(a)