Glucose and galactose are

Options

A. Anomers
B. optical isomers
C. epimers
D. none of these

Explanation

To determine the relationship between glucose and galactose, we will analyze their structures step by step.

### Step 1: Draw the Structure of Glucose
- Glucose is an aldohexose, meaning it has an aldehyde group and six carbon atoms.
- The structure of glucose can be represented as:
- CHO (aldehyde group)
- C1: CH2OH
- C2: CH (with OH)
- C3: CH (with OH)
- C4: CH (with OH)
- C5: CH (with OH)
- C6: CH2OH (at the end)

The complete structure of glucose is:
```
CHO
|
CH
|
CH
|
CH
|
CH2OH
```

### Step 2: Draw the Structure of Galactose
- Galactose is also an aldohexose and has the same molecular formula as glucose (C6H12O6).
- The structure of galactose can be represented as:
- CHO (aldehyde group)
- C1: CH2OH
- C2: CH (with OH)
- C3: CH (with OH)
- C4: CH (with H)
- C5: CH (with OH)
- C6: CH2OH (at the end)

The complete structure of galactose is:
```
CHO
|
CH
|
CH
|
CH
|
CH2OH
```

### Step 3: Compare the Structures
- Now, we compare the structures of glucose and galactose.
- The key difference is at the fourth carbon (C4):
- In glucose, C4 has an OH group.
- In galactose, C4 has an H atom.

### Step 4: Identify the Type of Isomerism
- Since glucose and galactose differ in the configuration of the hydroxyl group (OH) and hydrogen (H) at the fourth carbon atom, they are classified as **epimers**.
- Epimers are defined as sugars that differ in configuration at only one specific carbon atom.

### Conclusion
- Therefore, the correct answer is that glucose and galactose are **epimers**.

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