Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules
Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksFrost 4th EditionCh.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet MoleculesProblem 41a
Chapter 3, Problem 41a

Based on the sweetness index in Table 6.2, if you tasted a drop of each of the syrups below, which would taste the sweetest?
(a) light corn syrup (100% glucose)

Verified step by step guidance
1
Review the sweetness index provided in Table 6.2, which ranks various substances based on their perceived sweetness relative to sucrose (assigned a sweetness index of 100).
Identify the sweetness index for glucose, as light corn syrup is composed of 100% glucose. This value will help determine how sweet it is compared to other syrups.
Compare the sweetness index of glucose to the sweetness indices of other syrups listed in Table 6.2. This comparison will indicate whether light corn syrup is the sweetest option.
Consider the chemical composition of light corn syrup (100% glucose) and how it contributes to its sweetness. Glucose is less sweet than sucrose, so its sweetness index will likely be lower than syrups containing sucrose or fructose.
Conclude which syrup tastes the sweetest based on the sweetness index values from Table 6.2, ensuring the comparison is grounded in the data provided.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Sweetness Index

The sweetness index is a comparative measure that ranks the sweetness of various substances relative to a standard, typically sucrose. It quantifies how sweet a substance tastes compared to glucose or other sweeteners, allowing for a better understanding of flavor profiles in food products.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:51
Dipole Moment (Simplified) Concept 1

Glucose

Glucose is a simple sugar and a primary energy source for the body. It is often used as a reference point in sweetness comparisons, with a sweetness index of 100%. Understanding glucose's properties helps in evaluating the sweetness of other syrups and sweeteners.
Recommended video:
Guided course
2:07
Total Energy From Glucose Concept 1

Syrup Composition

Syrup composition refers to the specific types and concentrations of sugars and other ingredients present in a syrup. Different syrups, such as light corn syrup, have varying sugar profiles that affect their overall sweetness, making it essential to analyze their components when determining which syrup tastes the sweetest.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:02
Dalton's Law: Partial Pressure (Simplified) Concept 3
Related Practice
Textbook Question

For each of the following disaccharides, name the glycosidic bond and draw the monosaccharide units produced by hydrolysis:

(a)

832
views
Textbook Question

Lactulose is a disaccharide used in the treatment of chronic constipation. Its formal name is galactose β(1→4) fructose.

(a) Draw the structure of lactulose.

696
views
Textbook Question

Identify a disaccharide that fits each of the following descriptions:

(a) ordinary table sugar

617
views
Textbook Question

If one sweetener packet of Splenda, Sweet’N Low, or Equal has the same sweetness as two tablespoons of sugar, according to Table 6.2, which of the packets contains the smallest amount of the sweetener?

642
views
Textbook Question

Describe the similarities and differences of the following polysaccharides:

(a) amylose and amylopectin

590
views
Textbook Question

Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:

(a) not digestible by humans

421
views