[Campbell Biology P.117] What is the fundamental structural difference between aldoses and k... | Practice Question

What is the fundamental structural difference between aldoses and ketoses, as depicted in Figure 5.3?

  • A: Aldoses have their carbonyl group at the end of the carbon skeleton, while ketoses have it within the skeleton.
  • B: Aldoses have more hydroxyl groups than ketoses.
  • C: Ketoses are always larger molecules than aldoses.
  • D: Aldoses contain a double bond, while ketoses contain only single bonds.

Explanation

Figure 5.3 explicitly shows that aldoses, like Glyceraldehyde and Ribose, have their carbonyl group C=O at the end of the carbon chain, whereas ketoses, such as Dihydroxyacetone and Ribulose, have their carbonyl group within the carbon chain. This is the defining structural difference.