BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Detailed explanation-1: -This includes common monosaccharides like galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, fructose, ribose, and xylose. They are called ‘reducing sugars’ because the presence of the aldehyde group makes them undergo oxidation readily to form carboxylic acid and in the process the reactive reagents are reduced easily.

Detailed explanation-2: -As polyols with carbonyls, monosaccharides can undergo a series of oxidation and reduction reactions. Reduction of a monosaccharides produces polyols known as alditols or sugar alcohols.

Detailed explanation-3: -A reducing sugar is any sugar that is capable of acting as a reducing agent. In an alkaline solution, a reducing sugar forms some aldehyde or ketone, which allows it to act as a reducing agent, for example in Benedict’s reagent. In such a reaction, the sugar becomes a carboxylic acid.

Detailed explanation-4: -Yes. All monosaccharides are reducing sugars. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are monosaccharides and are all reducing sugars.

Detailed explanation-5: -An important reaction of monosaccharides is the oxidation of the aldehyde group, one of the most easily oxidized organic functional groups. Aldehyde oxidation can be accomplished with any mild oxidizing agent, such as Tollens’ reagent or Benedict’s reagent.