Enzymes hydrolyzing these compounds are categorized as “retaining” or “inverting,” depending on whether one of its two catalytic carboxylates displays nucleophilic activity. The transition-state analog Zanamivir (“zah-NEH-mih-veer”) mimics one of these compounds, allowing the drug to inhibit neuraminidase (“nur-ah-MIN-ah-dayz”) activity during influenza infections. Reactions involving these compounds and a larger molecule typically occur at R-x-S/T (“R-X-S-slash-T”) sequences. These compounds display enhanced reactivity at their (*) anomeric centers. One form of these molecules containing a free aldehyde can be detected by Benedict’s reagent. These compounds, which are usually visualized using Fischer or Haworth projections, are typically identified with the suffix -ose (“O-S-E”). For 10 points, name these compounds, which include mannose and glucose. ■END■
ANSWER: carbohydrates [accept saccharides or sugars; accept monosaccharides or disaccharides or polysaccharides or oligosaccharides; accept glycosides; accept glycans; accept uronic acids; accept aldoses; accept ketoses; accept hexoses; accept pentoses; prompt on N-acetylneuraminic acid or Neu5Ac or NANA; prompt on sialic acids]
<Kane Nguyen, Chemistry>
= Average correct buzz position