D-Xylose is a monosaccharide, specifically an aldose, that is a common constituent of hemicellulose in plant cell walls. It is a naturally occurring sugar that is important in the context of understanding the configurations of aldoses, a key topic in organic chemistry.
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D-Xylose is a pentose sugar, meaning it has five carbon atoms in its backbone.
As an aldose, D-Xylose has an aldehyde group at the terminal carbon, which is responsible for its reducing properties.
The 'D-' prefix indicates that the hydroxyl group on the second carbon atom is on the right side when the molecule is drawn in the Fischer projection.
D-Xylose is an important building block of hemicellulose, which is a major component of plant cell walls and provides structural support.
The configuration of D-Xylose, as an aldose, is crucial for understanding the stereochemistry and reactivity of carbohydrates in organic chemistry.
Review Questions
Explain the significance of the 'D-' prefix in the name 'D-Xylose' and how it relates to the configuration of the molecule.
The 'D-' prefix in the name 'D-Xylose' indicates that the hydroxyl group on the second carbon atom is on the right side when the molecule is drawn in the Fischer projection. This configuration is important because it determines the overall stereochemistry of the molecule and how it interacts with other compounds. The 'D-' prefix is used to distinguish between the two possible enantiomers, 'D-' and 'L-', which have mirror-image configurations and different biological and chemical properties.
Describe the role of D-Xylose as a component of hemicellulose and its significance in plant cell walls.
D-Xylose is a key constituent of hemicellulose, a complex polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. Hemicellulose, along with cellulose, provides structural support and rigidity to plant cell walls, allowing them to withstand the internal turgor pressure and environmental stresses. The presence of D-Xylose, as part of the hemicellulose network, contributes to the overall strength and integrity of the plant cell wall, which is essential for plant growth, development, and defense mechanisms.
Analyze how the aldose configuration of D-Xylose is relevant in the context of understanding the stereochemistry and reactivity of carbohydrates in organic chemistry.
The aldose configuration of D-Xylose, with its terminal aldehyde group, is crucial for understanding the stereochemistry and reactivity of carbohydrates in organic chemistry. As an aldose, D-Xylose can undergo various reactions, such as oxidation, reduction, and condensation, that are characteristic of aldehydes. Additionally, the specific configuration of the hydroxyl groups around the carbon backbone determines the overall stereochemistry of the molecule, which is essential for understanding how carbohydrates interact with enzymes, receptors, and other biomolecules. By studying the properties and reactions of D-Xylose as an aldose, students can gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of carbohydrates in organic chemistry.