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Monosaccharides

Biology: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 5.1.1

Types of Monosaccharides

Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They are made from monosaccharides, which are simple sugars containing three to seven carbon atoms.

Examples of monosaccharides

Examples of monosaccharides

  • Monosaccharides are simple sugars. Examples include:
  • Glucose.
  • Galactose (found in milk).
  • Fructose (found in fruit).
Glucose

Glucose

  • Glucose is a hexose sugar that has the chemical formula C6H12O6.
  • Glucose is an important source of energy in humans.
  • During cellular respiration, the energy released from glucose helps to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Alpha vs beta glucose

Alpha vs beta glucose

  • Alpha- and beta-glucose are isomers. Isomers have the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms in space.
  • The carbon atoms are numbered from 1 – 6 and the OH (hydroxyl) groups are in a different orientation around C1.

Test yourself on Monosaccharides

  • What is the chemical formula for glucose?

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