Question

How do you explain the following?
(a) Presence of an aldehyde group in glucose.
(b) Presence of five –OH groups in glucose.

Hint:

Glucose is a highly reactive molecule due to its aldehyde group and multiple hydroxyl groups, which are key to its role in metabolism.

Answer 1

(a) The aldehyde group in glucose is responsible for its reactivity in various chemical reactions, such as reduction to sorbitol or condensation to form glycosidic linkages in disaccharides. The aldehyde group plays a central role in the reactivity of glucose in the body.
(b) The five –OH (hydroxyl) groups in glucose contribute to its high solubility in water and its ability to form hydrogen bonds, which makes glucose highly soluble and reactive in biological systems. These hydroxyl groups also contribute to glucose's ability to form cyclic structures.