Monosaccharides are a type of simple sugar that are composed of a single instance of a carbohydrate. Commonly referred to as “sugar molecules,” monosaccharides have several important features which distinguish them from other types of sugars. While all monosaccharides share certain characteristics, not all of them have the same features. Here, we’ll explore which of the following is not a common feature of monosaccharides:
- Location of the Carbonyl Group
- Number of Carbon Atoms
- Shape
- Solubility
Location of the Carbonyl Group
One key feature of monosaccharides is the location of the carbonyl group, which consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom. Glucose, fructose, galactose, and deoxyribose are all monosaccharides that can be categorized according to where their carbonyl group is located. Glucose and fructose have their carbonyl groups at the end (aldose and ketose, respectively), while galactose and deoxyribose have their carbonyl groups in the center (aldose and ketose, respectively). Therefore, the location of the carbonyl group is a common feature of monosaccharides.
Number of Carbon Atoms
The number of carbon atoms that make up a monosaccharide is another key feature. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are all hexose sugars, which have six carbon atoms. Deoxyribose is a pentose sugar, which has five carbon atoms. This is why a hexose sugar like glucose and a pentose sugar like deoxyribose have different structures. The number of carbon atoms is, therefore, a common feature of monosaccharides.
Shape
The shape of a monosaccharide is determined by the number of carbon atoms that make it up. Hexose sugars like glucose and fructose are ring-shaped, while pentose sugars like deoxyribose are linear. While the shape of a monosaccharide is determined by its structure, it is not a common feature of monosaccharides because it is not shared by all monosaccharides.
Solubility
The solubility of a monosaccharide in water is determined by its structure and the number of carbon atoms that make it up. Hexose sugars like glucose and fructose are water-soluble, while pentose sugars like deoxyribose are not. This means that while solubility is an important feature of monosaccharides, it is not a common feature, as not all monosaccharides are water-soluble.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the common features of monosaccharides include the location of the carbonyl group and the number of carbon atoms that make it up. The shape and solubility of a monosaccharide, however, are not common features of all monosaccharides.