Understanding Tralose and Its Role in Insects

Tralose is a disaccharide sugar composed of two glucose units linked by an alpha-alpha 1-1 glucoglucoside linkage, which prevents a free aldehyde reducing group. First identified in 1832 in ergot fungus, Tralose is synthesized by various organisms, including insects, where it serves as the primary circulatory sugar for energy. Insects exhibit variable Tralose blood levels, unlike vertebrates, which primarily use glucose. The video explores why Tralose is more suitable for insects than glucose.

What is Tralose composed of?

• One glucose and one fructose unit

• Two glucose units

• Two fructose units

• Two sucrose units

In what year was Tralose first identified?

• 1900

• 1832

• 1920

• 1850

Which organisms are known to synthesize Tralose?

• Only vertebrates

• Only insects

• Plants, animals, and fungi

• Only plants

What is the primary circulatory sugar in insects?

• Glucose

• Tralose

• Fructose

• Sucrose

What is the typical range of Tralose concentration in insect hemolymph?

• 5-10 millimolar

• 10-50 millimolar

• 1-5 millimolar

• 50-100 millimolar

What is the average glucose concentration in human blood?

• 50 millimolar

• 1 millimolar

• 5 millimolar

• 10 millimolar

Why might Tralose be a better circulatory sugar for insects than glucose?

• It is less reactive

• It is more stable

• It is less stable

• It is more reactive