- #1
bomba923
- 759
- 0
A monosacharride that humans cannot metabolize? 
Is there a monosaccharide that humans cannot metabolize?
- Thread starter bomba923
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the question of whether there exists a monosaccharide, specifically a six-carbon monosaccharide (hexose), that humans cannot metabolize. Participants explore the metabolic capabilities of humans regarding different hexoses, including the implications of enzyme specificity and molecular chirality.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that only Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose can be metabolized by humans from the hexoses.
- One participant suggests that the ability to metabolize sugars depends on the enzymes present in human cells, which are specialized for certain configurations of molecules.
- Another participant introduces the concept of chirality, mentioning that if sugars had the opposite handedness, humans might not be able to metabolize them, though this point is expressed with uncertainty.
- It is noted that the liver converts Fructose and Galactose to Glucose, indicating a specific metabolic pathway.
- There is a mention of enzymes being proteins with definite structures that interact with specific molecules based on their configuration.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree that Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose are metabolizable hexoses, but there is uncertainty regarding other hexoses and the implications of chirality, indicating that multiple views remain on the topic.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include the lack of specific examples of hexoses that cannot be metabolized and the dependence on definitions of chirality and enzyme specificity, which are not fully resolved in the discussion.
- #2
fargoth
- 318
- 6
well, i think formaldehyde would be one... i don't think it's good to drink formalin 
- #3
bomba923
- 759
- 0
(...Alright...to be more specific 
)
~Does there exist a six-carbon monosaccharide (a hexose) that humans cannot metabolize?
)~Does there exist a six-carbon monosaccharide (a hexose) that humans cannot metabolize?
Last edited:
- #4
fargoth
- 318
- 6
i think that only Glucose, Fructose and Galactose can be metabolized out of the hexoses...
- #5
bomba923
- 759
- 0
? Why so ?fargoth said:
- #6
fargoth
- 318
- 6
well, the short answer is that our cells know to convert Glucose to ATP (and some cells know to convert Glucose to Glycogen and back)
and our liver knows to convert only Fructose and Galactose to Glucose...
it all depends on what your enzyms can do...
and our liver knows to convert only Fructose and Galactose to Glucose...
it all depends on what your enzyms can do...
- #7
skywolf
- 81
- 0
i once read something about the chirality (right left handedness of things)
i think it applies to sugars, that if they were the opposite direction we couldn't metabolize it
not sure, but it sounds familiar
i think it applies to sugars, that if they were the opposite direction we couldn't metabolize it
not sure, but it sounds familiar
- #8
Ahmed Abdullah
- 203
- 3
enzyms are protein and have definite structure,... and are specialized to deal with certain molecule ... having appropriate configuration.
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