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Multiple Choice
Consider the figure shown below. What one characteristic is shared by sucrose and maltose?
A
Both are reducing sugars.
B
Both are disaccharides composed of two monosaccharide units.
C
Both contain two glucose molecules linked together.
D
Both are composed of glucose and galactose.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of sucrose and maltose: Sucrose is composed of glucose and fructose, while maltose is composed of two glucose molecules linked together. Both are disaccharides, meaning they are composed of two monosaccharide units.
Review the definition of reducing sugars: Reducing sugars have a free aldehyde or ketone group that can participate in redox reactions. Sucrose is not a reducing sugar because its glycosidic bond involves the anomeric carbons of both glucose and fructose, whereas maltose is a reducing sugar because one of its glucose units has a free anomeric carbon.
Analyze the options provided: The first option states that both are reducing sugars, which is incorrect because sucrose is not a reducing sugar. The second option states that both are disaccharides composed of two monosaccharide units, which is correct based on their structures.
Evaluate the third option: It claims that both contain two glucose molecules linked together. This is incorrect because sucrose contains glucose and fructose, not two glucose molecules.
Assess the fourth option: It states that both are composed of glucose and galactose. This is incorrect because neither sucrose nor maltose contains galactose; sucrose contains glucose and fructose, and maltose contains two glucose molecules.