Question:medium

Aldose: What type of monosaccharides are fructose, glucose, and xylose? To which family do they belong based on their functional groups?

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Monosaccharides are classified into aldoses or ketoses based on the presence of an aldehyde group (\( -CHO \)) or a keto group (\( -C=O \)). This distinction helps identify their structure and behavior in biochemical processes.
Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • \( \text{Fructose is a ketose, glucose and xylose are aldoses.} \)
  • \( \text{Fructose and glucose are ketoses, xylose is an aldose.} \)
  • \( \text{All three are aldoses.} \)
  • \( \text{All three are ketoses.} \)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Monosaccharides, simple sugars, are categorized by their functional groups into aldoses and ketoses. This classification depends on whether an aldehyde or a keto group is present.Step 1: Identifying Aldoses and Ketoses.
Aldoses feature an aldehyde group (\( -CHO \)), typically at the first carbon. Ketoses contain a keto group (\( -C=O \)), usually at the second carbon.Step 2: Functional Groups of Fructose, Glucose, and Xylose.
Analysis of the monosaccharides' functional groups is as follows: Fructose is a ketose (specifically a ketohexose, a 6-carbon ketose) due to its keto group at the second carbon. Glucose is an aldose (specifically an aldohexose, a 6-carbon aldose) because of its aldehyde group at the first carbon. Xylose is also an aldose (specifically an aldopentose, a 5-carbon aldose) with an aldehyde group at the first carbon.Step 3: Family Classification.
Glucose: Classified as an aldohexose (6 carbons, aldehyde group). Xylose: Classified as an aldopentose (5 carbons, aldehyde group). Fructose: Classified as a ketohexose (6 carbons, keto group).The established conclusion is:\[\text{Fructose is a ketose, glucose and xylose are aldoses.}\]Consequently, the correct answer is \( \mathbf{(1)} \).
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