Question

Two tubes contain yeast. Tube 1 had sucralose (sugar substitute) added and Tube 2 had sucrose added. The chemical structures of sucralose and sucrose are similar and they both taste sweet.

Which tube contained a true carbohydrate
a. Tube 1
b. Tube 2
c. Both tubes
d. Neither tubes

Answer 1

Tube 2 contained a true carbohydrate, sucrose, whereas Tube 1 contained a sugar substitute, sucralose. The answer is option B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tube that contained a true carbohydrate is Tube 2.

Sucrose, which was added to Tube 2, is a true carbohydrate composed of glucose and fructose molecules linked together. On the other hand, sucralose, added to Tube 1, is an artificial sweetener that does not have the same chemical structure as a carbohydrate. Although both substances taste sweet, only sucrose qualifies as a true carbohydrate.

The chemical name for sucrose is a-D-glucopyranosyl-(a-1→2)-ß-D-fructofuranose. It is commonly known as table sugar and is obtained from sugar cane. It is a non-reducing sugar and is different from sucralose, which is a sugar substitute.