How in depth do we have to know sugar molecules?

[Dr. Snow]

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I repeatedly get questions wrong asking me about the structure of monosaccharides and disaccharides from 3rd party passages.
Should I memorize how many carbons are in each (fructose, ribose, glucose, etc)?
Should we know the different sugars that make up disaccharides?
Should I memorize their actual structures or is that too in-depth for what I will see on test day?

 

[theonlytycrane]

You should be familiar with basic sugars, like the ones mentioned above. I would know the structures & function.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Hi @Dr. Snow -

I repeatedly get questions wrong asking me about the structure of monosaccharides and disaccharides from 3rd party passages.
Should I memorize how many carbons are in each (fructose, ribose, glucose, etc)?

Yes, absolutely.

Should we know the different sugars that make up disaccharides?

Yes.

Should I memorize their actual structures or is that too in-depth for what I will see on test day?

I would definitely recommend it. You might not have to use that knowledge on Test Day, but it could come in handy, and in general I think it's a good idea. At least be able to differentiate the major monosaccharides.

Other points that the AAMC has specifically identified as testable include the classification of carbohydrates, their absolute configuration, the cyclic structure and conformations of 6-carbon sugars, and the terms "epimer" and "anomer" and how they fit into carbohydrate structure. Understanding glycosidic bonds & how they're formed/broken is also fair game.

Hope this helps clarify this often-challenging topic!

 

[aldol16]

Generally speaking, the higher yield concepts from what you mention above are how many carbons are in each of the common sugar molecules, their structures/functions, and the kinds of bonds that link sugars together (1->6, etc.).