Question

The number of asymmetric carbon atoms in the glucose molecule is ____________.

Options

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 6

Answer 1

The number of asymmetric carbon atoms in the glucose molecule is 4.

Explanation:

An asymmetric carbon atom has four separate atoms or groups of atoms linked to it.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{...}\ce{CHO}\\
|1\\
\ce{H-C-OH}\\
|2\\
\ce{HO-C-H}\phantom{...}\\
|3\\
\ce{H-C-OH}\\
|4\\
\ce{H-C-OH}\\
|\phantom{..}\\
\phantom{.....}\ce{CH2OH}
\end{array}\]

Glucose contains 4 asymmetric carbon atoms.