Galactose

Definition

Galactose is a monosaccharide sugar that is less sweet than glucose and commonly found in milk. It plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and is an important component of glycolipids and glycoproteins.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Galactose is metabolized in the liver through the Leloir pathway.
2. It can be converted into glucose-1-phosphate, which enters the glycolytic pathway.
3. Galactosemia is a metabolic disorder caused by the inability to properly metabolize galactose.
4. Enzymes involved in galactose metabolism include galactokinase, galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, and UDP-galactose-4'-epimerase.
5. Galactose forms part of lactose when combined with glucose.

Review Questions

• What pathway metabolizes galactose in the liver?
• What metabolic disorder is associated with impaired galactose metabolism?
• Which enzymes are involved in the conversion of galactose to glucose intermediates?

Related terms

Leloir Pathway: The series of biochemical reactions that convert galactose into glucose-1-phosphate.

Galactokinase: An enzyme that phosphorylates galactose to form galactose-1-phosphate.

Lactose:

A disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, commonly found in milk.