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D and L sugars, α and β sugars are classifications based on:

A) Optical activity.
B) Molecular weight.
C) Solubility.
D) Reducing power.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

D and L sugars, α and β sugars are classifications based on optical activity. These classifications are important in the study of carbohydrates and have implications for their physical and chemical properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

D and L sugars, α and β sugars are classifications based on optical activity. Optical isomers, also known as enantiomers, are molecules that have the same chemical formula and connectivity but differ in their three-dimensional orientation. D and L sugars refer to the configuration of the last optically active carbon in a molecule, while α and β sugars refer to the orientation of the -OH group on the anomeric carbon atom. These classifications are important in the study of carbohydrates and have implications for their physical and chemical properties.

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