Chapter 3.4, Problem 1CC

Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason that D- glucose and L- glucose bind differently to enzymes.

Introduction: Isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula but different structure. Different structures lead to different biological activity. Isomers are grouped into two categories: structural isomers and stereoisomers. Stereoisomers have the same bond relation but the spatial location of the atoms is different from the isomers. They are further of two types: cis and trans isomers. Other types of stereoisomers that exist are enantiomers that exist as of a pair of molecules that are mirror images. Four different atoms can bind to a single carbon atom in two possible ways, designated as a left-handed and a right-handed structure. The resulting structures are not identical, but instead, are mirror images of each other.