Glucose is a hexose sugar with the molecular formula C6H12O6. Many other sugars share this same molecular formula but have different structures. These are called isomers. The study of isomers and stereoisomers of glucose is important because it explains why different sugars behave differently in the body, and why enzymes can distinguish between them.
Definition
Isomerism: Phenomenon in which compounds have the same molecular formula but they differ in structural arrangement or formula is called isomerism.
Stereoisomers: Stereoisomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ only in the relative arrangement of -H and -OH group in 3D space at the anomeric and asymmetric carbon atoms.
Isomers = same formula, different structure.
Stereoisomers = same formula, same structural formula, but different 3D arrangement.
Core Concept
Glucose and fructose both are hexoses with the same molecular formula, i.e., C6H12O6.
But both have different structures of their functional groups.
Glucose is an aldo sugar (contains aldehyde group).
Fructose is a keto sugar (contains ketone group).
So they are functional group isomers of each other.
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