Learn Glossary biochemistry

Anomeric carbon

Carbon comprising the carbonyl function that can form a ring with the highest-numbered chiral carbon's hydroxyl group of a monosaccharide.

The carbon atom in a sugar that becomes a new stereocenter when the open-chain form cyclizes. It defines the α or β configuration of the sugar and is the site of glycosidic bond formation.

How one textbook covers it

  • Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 8th ed. (Gropper)Glossary

    The carbon atom in a sugar that becomes a new stereocenter when the open-chain form cyclizes. It defines the α or β configuration of the sugar and is the site of glycosidic bond formation.

Related terms

Chiral carbon, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides