Monosaccharides (Single Sugars)

• Composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
• (CH₂)_n
• Characterized by hydroxyl groups and an alehyne or ketone group.
  • Makes sugars hydrophilic
  • When monosaccharides of five or more carbons are in water, aldehyne or ketone groups tend to react with a hydroxyl group producing a ring structure.
  • Ring can close two ways, with hydroxyl group down or first carbob positioned either above or below plane of ring.
    • When formed with hydroxyl group below it is alpha glucose
    • When formed with hydroxyl group above it is beta glucose.
• Like Hydrocarbons, monosaccharides can be burned to yield CO₂ and water. (CH₂O)_n+nO₂ -> (CO₂)_n + (H₂O)_n
  • This reaction releases energy which is used in cells
  • Principle energy source for vertebrates is the monosaccharide Glucose. (One mole of glucose releases 673 Kcal by oxidation.)