Question

Which class of carbohydrates is considered non-sugar?

• A. Monosaccharides
• B. Disaccharides
• C. Polysaccharides
• D. Oligosaccharides

Hint:

Simple = Sugar = Sweet and Soluble.
Complex = Non-sugar = Tasteless and Insoluble. Starch is a polysaccharide, and it doesn't taste sweet!

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In common terminology, "sugars" refer to carbohydrates that are sweet to the taste, soluble in water, and crystalline in nature. These properties are generally associated with low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. Non-sugars, conversely, are tasteless, insoluble in water, and amorphous.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Carbohydrates are classified into three main groups based on their complexity:
1. Monosaccharides (Option 1): Simple sugars like glucose and fructose. They are sweet, soluble, and the building blocks of all other carbohydrates.
2. Oligosaccharides (Option 4) and Disaccharides (Option 2): These consist of 2 to 10 monosaccharide units. Disaccharides like sucrose (table sugar) and lactose are classic examples of sugars.
3. Polysaccharides (Option 3): These are high-molecular-weight polymers containing hundreds or thousands of monosaccharide units (e.g., starch, cellulose, glycogen). Due to their enormous size and complex structure, they do not interact with taste buds to produce a sweet sensation and are generally insoluble in cold water. Therefore, they are chemically classified as "non-sugars."

Step 3: Final Answer:
Polysaccharides such as starch and cellulose are tasteless and insoluble, distinguishing them as non-sugars compared to mono- and disaccharides.