Page 75 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry
P. 75
That's a great Take a look at
observation, Kumi. this. When we say
"saccharides," we're
actually talking about
a number of different
sugars.
Table sugar (sucrose)
Fructose
Lactose Oh, I see...
Starch
So each type of Saccharide
saccharide is time!
different. Shall we
take a closer look?
Yeah!
One important type of This diagram represents what's known as
saccharide is glucose. It has
both an open-chain form and a α-D-glucose. If the rightmost hydroxyl
cyclic (or ring) form. group and hydrogen in the cyclic form
trade places around their carbon, it's
Open-chain
form called β-D-glucose.
Cyclic form
Look at the open-chain The top carbon atom ).
form. Six carbon atoms has the form of an
(C) are vertically aligned,
and a hydrogen (H) and a (aldehyde group
hydroxyl group (OH or HO)
are attached to each of This is one of the
basic components of a
the lower five.
monosaccharide.*
* See page 83 for more information
on monosaccharides.
