Introduction

The smallest carbohydrate molecules are simple sugars. Monosaccharides serve two primary functions in the body: power storage and the essential components of more complex carbohydrates used as structural components. A monosaccharide, also known as a simple sugar, is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be hydrogenated into smaller carbohydrates. A monosaccharide, like all carbohydrates, is made up of 3 chemical elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. It is the most basic type of glucose molecule and is frequently used to build more complex molecules.

Properties Of Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are colorless, crystalline, water-soluble solids in their purest form. The perspective of the OH group communicates with the taste receptor on the tongue that senses sweetness, hence monosaccharides have a sweet flavor. 

• Two monosaccharides can dehydrate to form a disaccharide, 
• Three to ten monosaccharides can dehydrate to form an oligosaccharide, 
• More than ten monosaccharides can dehydrate to form a polysaccharide.

Structure And Functions Of Monosaccharides

Let’s understand the Structure and functions of monosaccharides.

Structure of monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are the most basic type of carbohydrate. They are made up of carbon, Hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, and they can’t be broken down further. This is because they are in their own most basic form already. Monosaccharide molecular structure and their general formula is denoted as (CH₂O)n, where n is any number greater than or equal to 3. The two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bond with the central carbon molecule. When the oxygen atom bonds with the hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group is formed, the Monosaccharide molecular structure.

Functions Of Monosaccharides

The functions of monosaccharides are several activities within cells. Monosaccharides are first and foremost used to generate energy stored. Most organisms generate decomposers which  break down the monosaccharide glycogen and extract the energy released by the bonds. Other monosaccharides are being used to create long fibers that can be used as cellular structures. To fulfill this function, plants produce cellulose, whereas some microbes can make a similar cellular structure from slightly different polysaccharides.

Glucose Preparation

• Glucose from sucrose (cane sugar): When sucrose is boiled in an alcoholic solution with dilute HCl and H2SO4, we get equal amounts of glucose and fructose. 

                          C12H22O11  +  H2O → C6H12O6  + C6H12O6

                          [Sucrose + Water = Glucose + Fructose]

• Glucose from Starch: Glucose is produced by hydrolysis of starch in boiled and diluted H2SO4 at 393 K under pressure. 

                           (C6H10O5)n + nH2O  + H2SO4 → nC6H12O6

         [Starch or cellulose + Water of Hydration of the salt + Hydrogen = Glucose]

Acyclic vs Cyclic Representation

Monosaccharides can occur in the form of straight-chain (acyclic) or in the form of molecules or rings (cyclic). Ketones or aldehyde groups can selectively interact with a hydroxyl group on another carbon to result in a heterocyclic ring. An oxygen atom makes a connection with two carbon atoms in the ring. Furanose sugars comprise five atom rings, whereas pyranose sugars are formed up of six atom rings. In equilibrium, the straight-chain, furanose, and pyranose structures occur. The term “glucose” can correspond to straight-chain glucose, glucofuranose, glucopyranose, or a combination of the three.

Examples of monosaccharides

Glucose (dextrose), fructose (levulose), and galactose are examples of monosaccharides. Monosaccharides serve as the foundation for disaccharides which are sucrose and lactose, and polysaccharides, which are cellulose and starch. Hence glucose, fructose, and galactose structures are monosaccharide isomers. They all carry the same chemical formula and differ in structure & chemical composition.

Conclusion 

We discussed the Structure and functions of monosaccharides, the monosaccharide molecular structure, and other related topics through the study material notes on the Structure and functions of monosaccharides. We also discussed the Examples of monosaccharides to give you proper knowledge. 

A monosaccharide, also known as a simple sugar, is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be hydrolyzed into relatively small carbohydrates. A monosaccharide, like all carbohydrates, is made up of three chemical components: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen. It is the most basic type of carbohydrate molecule and is frequently used to build more complex molecular structures.