Biomolecules: |
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Glucose: Linear and Cyclic FormsOne of the most important carbohydrates in the body is glucose (C6H12O6). Glucose is called a monosaccharide because it forms one simple building block of more complicated carbohydrates. One structure of glucose is shown below. Click on the step numbers below to see some important things about glucose's structure. Click on the mouse at left to clear the text and reset the image.
The linear form of glucose shown above makes up less than 3% of the glucose molecules in a water solution. The rest is one of two cyclic forms of glucose formed when the hydroxyl group on carbon 5 (C5) bonds to the aldehyde carbon 1 (C1), as shown below.
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Linear and Cyclic Forms |