Agarose is one of the components of agar, which is a mixture of polysaccharides isolated from certain seaweeds and usually used at concentrations of between 1% and 3% in labs. 

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7845

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

Isomers of monosaccharides that differ only in their configuration about that asymmetric carbon atom are called anomers, designated as a or b,

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7846

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

When the anomeric hydroxyl of a D-hexose is on the same side of the ring as C-6, the structure is β a by definition; when it is on the opposite side from C-6, the structure is α.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7847

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

The two diastereomers of glucose in its "pyranose" form are called the alpha (a) and beta (B) isomers, which differ in the orientation of the OH at C-1

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7849

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

The pyranose form of glucose dominates (>99%) at equilibrium in aqueous solution

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7850

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

The 6-membered cyclic form of sugars is usually called the “pyranose” form in reference to the cyclic ether pyran.

TLS Online TPP Program

#Id: 7852

#Unit 1. Molecules and their Interaction Relevant to Biology

The pyranose forms of the sugars are more stable than the furanose forms in solution.