Register & enjoy the perks of a Universal College Application, Easy Process, Time-saving, and Free Contact details and Brochures.
Monthly Users
Monthly Applications
Admissions
No Result Found
Home > News & Articles > Galactose Structure: Definitions, Etymology, Formula, Properties, Applications, Sources, and Galactosemia
Updated on 21st July, 2023 , 4 min read
Lactose is created when a galactose molecule binds to a glucose molecule. Its molecular weight is 180 g/mol. Lactose, which is present in milk and dairy products, is its primary dietary source. A few fruits and vegetables contain galactose in addition to lactose. Galactosemia is a deadly condition that may be easily detected at birth but is not treatable due to recessive genetics.
The monosaccharide sugar galactose, frequently abbreviated as Gal, is about 65% as sweet as sucrose and about as sweet as glucose. It is a C-4 epimer of glucose and an aldohexose. A lactose molecule is created when two molecules of galactose and glucose are joined. Galactan, a naturally occurring type of polymeric carbohydrate, is a polymeric form of galactose that may be found in hemicellulose and serves as the core of Galatians. Because it is a part of the glycoproteins (oligosaccharide-protein complexes) that are present in nerve tissue, D-galactose is sometimes referred to as brain sugar.
The Greek letter o, galactose, which means "of milk," and the general chemical suffix for sugars, -ose, are the sources of the term galactose, which was first used by Charles Weissman in the middle of the 19th century. The word's origin is similar to that of lactose in that both words derive from roots that mean "milk sugar." A disaccharide comprising galactose and glucose is lactose.
A monosaccharide sugar, galactose has a molecular mass of 180 g/mol and the chemical formula is C₆H₁₂O₆. Galactose and glucose combine to generate the disaccharide known as lactose. Both cyclic and open-chain cyclic forms of galactose are present, with the latter having a carbonyl group connected to the chain's terminus.
Open-chain and cyclic galactose structures are two types of galactose structures. The open-chain form has a carbonyl at the end. The galactose formula can be used to help build its structure.Two of the isomers have pyranose rings with six members, whereas the other two have furanose rings with five members. The exocyclic 1,2-diol of galactofuranose, which is present in bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, is identified by the putative chordate immune lectin intelectin. The cyclic form has two anomers,alpha, and beta because the change from the open-chain to the cyclic form necessitates the development of a new stereocenter at the location of the open-chain carbonyl. In the beta form, the alcohol group is in the equatorial position, whereas in the alpha form, it is in the axial position.
The following table gives details about the properties of galactose structure-
Particulars | Details |
IUPAC Name | (3R,4S,5R,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol |
Chemical Formula of Galactose Structure | C₆H₁₂O₆ |
Molecular Mass of Galactose Structure | 180.156 g/mol |
Odour | Odourless |
Density of Galactose Structure | 1.5 g/cm⁻³ |
Appearance | White Solid |
Melting Point of Galactose Structure | 168–170 ℃ |
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 5 |
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 6 |
Rotatable Bond Count | 1 |
Solubility | Soluble in water but slightly soluble in ethanol |
A simple sugar called galactose is metabolized into energy by the liver. This sugar is frequently consumed by people and has a number of uses. Since galactose is a precursor to the creation of glucose, it is crucial for the generation of energy. The body's demand for galactose is satisfied through the metabolic conversion of D-glucose to D-galactose. It is an essential part of the glycolipids found in the myelin sheaths of nerve cells in the brain. It is hence also referred to as "brain sugar."
The following are some of the applications of galactose structure-
Our diet's main source of galactose is lactose, which may be found in dairy products like yogurt and milk. These sources break down into glucose and galactose after digestion. Celery, cherries, honey, hamburgers with toppings, low-fat mozzarella, plums, avocados, sweetened yogurt, milk-based puddings, and kiwifruit are a few examples of foods high in galactose.
The following are the health hazards of galactose structure-
Galactosemia is a genetic condition in which a person's body no longer has the capacity to convert galactose to glucose. As a result, the person has difficulty with carbohydrate metabolism and cannot properly digest milk and dairy products. The Galactose-1-phosphate uridinetransferase (GALT) enzyme, which is crucial for converting galactose into glucose, becomes inadequate in the body as a result of this illness. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after birth because the problem is genetically transmitted, and failing to do so might result in both intellectual handicaps and life-threatening conditions.
Was this Article Helpful/Relevant or did you get what you were looking for ?
👍 1,234
👎234
D Pharmacy: Admission 2024, Subjects, Colleges, Eligibility, Fees, Jobs, Salary
By - Nikita Parmar 2023-11-04 08:11:48 , 7 min readHow to Become a Pilot after 12th: In India, Courses, Exams, Fees, Salary 2023
By - Nikita Parmar 2023-08-25 09:48:44 , 11 min readAns. Lactose, a disaccharide sugar that contains both galactose and glucose, is the primary source of galactose. Milk and dairy products are the principal sources of lactose (and galactose); however, traces of pure galactose can also be found in several fruits and vegetables.
Ans. The name of galactose according to the IUPAC is (3R,4S,5R,6R)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-2,3,4,5-tetrol
Ans. Yes, Galactose is a lowering food. Since they include an aldehyde group (if they are aldoses) or may tautomerize in solution to generate an aldehyde group (if they are ketoses), all forms of monosaccharides are really reducing sugars. Galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, fructose, ribose, and xylose are a few common monosaccharides.
Ans. This entire conversion process takes place in the mucosal membrane of the small intestine, starting with the conversion of lactose into galactose and glucose by the action of an enzyme called lactase in our stomach, followed by the phosphorylation of galactose to galactose 1-phosphate by galactokinase, and finally the final step of glycolysis that transforms the galactose into glucose. Following the transformation of galactose into glucose, the glucose is first partially digested before being absorbed by the circulation in various ways.
Ans. The blood’s galactose and fructose are taken by the liver, where they are later changed into various metabolites. The liver absorbs the majority of fructose when it is consumed in moderation. Then it is changed into lactate, glucose, and glycogen. A part of it could also undergo oxidation or be transformed into fatty acids and uric acid.
communication@collegesearch.in
+91 84482 99862 
Download Brochure
