Lactulose is a synthetic, non-digestible disaccharide that is used in the treatment of chronic constipation and liver disease. This disaccharide contains the residues of galactose and fructose. The formula of α-lactulose is given below
Suggest whether lactulose is a reducing or non-reducing sugar. Explain your answer.
Important Questions on Biochemistry
In making candy or sugar syrup, sucrose is boiled in water with a small amount of organic acid, such as citric acid from lemon juice. Explain why the product mixture tastes sweeter than the initial sucrose solution.
Explain what feature of the structure of glycerol (propane-1,2,3-triol) allows fatty acid molecules to become attached to it to make fats, and state the name of the reaction by which this occurs.
Lactose is a typical disaccharide. Suggest a reason why fatty acids can be attached to it.
The fatty acids in olestra are smaller than those in cooking fats. Suggest a reason for this.
State the name of the two polymeric forms of starch.
Describe, in terms of polarity and solubility, the most common properties of vitamins A and D.
The formulae of vitamin (niacin) and vitamin (α-tocopherol) are given below.
Identify two functional groups in vitamin and two functional groups in vitamin .
In the human body, vitamin E acts as antioxidant. Identify the functional group or groups that are responsible for anti oxidative properties of this vitamin.
