Difference Between Aldose and Ketose
What is Aldose?
An aldose is a type of monosaccharide that contains an aldehyde group (-CHO) as its functional group. It is a simple sugar that has one aldehyde group attached to each carbon atom within the sugar molecule.
Examples of Aldose:
Some examples of aldoses include glucose, galactose, and ribose.
Uses of Aldose:
Aldoses are important compounds in various biological processes. Glucose, for example, serves as a major source of energy in organisms and is an essential component for cellular respiration.
What is Ketose?
A ketose is a type of monosaccharide that contains a ketone group (=O) as its functional group. It is a simple sugar that has one ketone group attached to at least one carbon atom within the sugar molecule.
Examples of Ketose:
Some examples of ketoses include fructose, ribulose, and dihydroxyacetone.
Uses of Ketose:
Ketoses are also important compounds in various biological processes. Fructose, for instance, is a common sugar found in fruits and is used as a sweetener in various food products.
Differences Between Aldose and Ketose:
| Difference Area | Aldose | Ketose |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Group | Aldehyde group (-CHO) | Ketone group (=O) |
| Example | Glucose | Fructose |
| Carbon Skeleton | Has one aldehyde group attached to each carbon atom | Has one ketone group attached to at least one carbon atom |
| Biological Significance | Major source of energy in organisms | Common sugar found in fruits |
| Chirality | Mirror image is not superimposable | Mirror image is not superimposable |
| Stereoisomerism | Aldoses can exist in both D and L forms | Ketoses can exist in both D and L forms |
| Mutarotation | Undergoes mutarotation | Undergoes mutarotation |
| Reducing Sugar | All aldoses are reducing sugars | Ketoses can be reducing sugars if the carbonyl group is at the end of the molecule |
| Total Number of Stereoisomers | 2^n stereoisomers (where n is the number of chiral carbons) | 2^n stereoisomers (where n is the number of chiral carbons) |
| Chemical Properties | Can undergo oxidation reactions | Can undergo oxidation reactions |
Conclusion:
In summary, aldoses and ketoses are two types of monosaccharides with different functional groups and carbon skeletons. While aldoses have an aldehyde group, ketoses have a ketone group. Both aldoses and ketoses serve important roles in biological processes and exhibit similar chemical properties.
Knowledge Check:
- True or False: Aldoses and ketoses have the same functional group.
- Give an example of an aldose.
- What is the major source of energy in organisms?
- What type of monosaccharide is fructose?
- Which of the following sugars can be a reducing sugar: glucose or fructose?
- True or False: Aldoses and ketoses can exhibit chirality.
- How many stereoisomers can an aldose have if it has four chiral carbons?
- Can aldoses and ketoses undergo oxidative reactions?
- Are aldoses and ketoses mirror images of each other?
- Can aldoses undergo mutarotation?
False
Glucose
Glucose
Ketose
Glucose
True
16
Yes
No
Yes
Related Topics:
- Difference between Monosaccharides and Disaccharides
- Difference between Sugars and Sugar Alcohols
- Difference between Glucose and Fructose
- Difference between Biochemical and Structural Isomers
