Tag: Hemiacetal

Galactose, a simple sugar, can exist in both open-chain and cyclic forms. Its chemical behavior and biological function are determined by the specific functional groups of galactose present in each of these structural arrangements. Understanding these groups is key to grasping how this sugar interacts within living systems.

Approximately 4–5% of cow's milk is composed of the disaccharide lactose. To understand the chemical properties of this and other double sugars, one must first identify what functional groups do disaccharides have in their structure. These groups dictate everything from their solubility to their reactivity, defining their classification as either reducing or non-reducing.

In aqueous solutions, over 99% of glucose exists in its cyclic, rather than linear, form. This happens as monosaccharides form rings through a fundamental intramolecular reaction, converting their straight-chain structure into a more stable, ring-shaped configuration.