Suggest 2 ways in which the structure of glucose supports its function?

Answer 1

Because Glucose is the unit from which starch, cellulose and glycogen are made up, and because of its special role in biological processes, there are probably more glucose groups in Nature than any other organic group. It is extremely important in Nature as one of the main energy sources for living organisms, both in plants and animals.

Glucose was first isolated in 1,747 from raisins by Andreas Marggraf. The name glucose was coined in 1,838 by Jean Dumas, from the greek glycos, sugar or sweet), and the structure was discovered by Emil Fischer around the turn of the century. In fact, there are 2 forms of glucose, the dextrose). In fact, the full name for common glucose is D- (+) -glucose, and its chemically correct name (using the IUPAC systematic naming system for organic molecules) is (2R,3S,4R,5R) -2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanol!

Glucose can be thought of as a derivative of hexane (a 6-carbon chain) with -OH groups attached to every carbon except the endmost one, which exists as an aldehyde carbonyl. However because the chain is flexible it can wrap around until the 2 ends react together to form a ring structure. Thus a solution of glucose can be thought of as a rapidly changing mixture of rings and chains, continually interconverting between the 2 forms.

Glucose is a ready source of energy, since its carbon atoms are easily oxidised (burnt) to form carbon dioxide, releasing energy in the process. However, unlike other hydrocarbon fuels, which are insoluble in water, the numerous OH groups in glucose allow it to readily hydrogen-bond with water molecules, so making it highly soluble in water. This allows the glucose fuel to be transported easily within biological systems, for example in the bloodstream of animals or the sap of plants. In fact the average adult has 5-6 grams of glucose in the blood (about 1 teaspoon), which will supply the body's energy needs for only about 15 minutes, Thereafter the levels must be replenished from compounds stored in the liver. Because glucose is found in ripe fruits, the nectar of flowers, leaves, sap and blood, over the years it has been given various common names, such as starch sugar, blood sugar, grape sugar and corn sugar.