MCAT Biochemistry Question 50: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 50

5. Ketose sugars may have the ability to act as reducing sugars. Which process explains this?

  • A. Ketose sugars undergo tautomerization.
  • B. The ketone group is oxidized directly.
  • C. Ketose sugars undergo anomerization.
  • D. The ketone group is reduced directly.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Ketose sugars undergo tautomerization, a rearrangement of bonds, to undergo keto-enol shifts. This forms an aldose, which then allows them to act as reducing sugars. A ketone group alone cannot be oxidized. Anomerization, mentioned in choice (C), refers to ring closure of a monosaccharide, creating an anomeric carbon.

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