Question

What is mannitol?
A. Amino acid
B. Amino alcohol
C. Sugar alcohol
D. Sugar acid

Answer 1

Mannitol is an organic compound that is derived from sugar, containing one hydroxyl group which is attached to each carbon atom. The main content of mannitol is sugar along with hydroxyl groups that are attached to each carbon. Diabetic patients use this as an artificial sweetener.

Complete step by step answer: The group of organic compounds which consist of amine and carboxyl as functional groups and a side chain (R group or alkyl group) which is specific to each amino acid is called amino acids. Sidechain means replacing one or more hydrogen atoms from parent hydrocarbons.
-Amino alcohols are also called as alkanolamine which consists of both amine and hydroxyl as a function group. They are formed naturally by the reaction between methane ammonia and water in the nitrogen atmosphere.
-Sugar alcohols are organic compounds that are derived from sugar-containing one hydroxyl group which is attached to each carbon atom. One of the types of sugar alcohol is mannitol which is used as a sweetener and for medication.
-Sugar acids consist of a monosaccharide with one carboxyl group attached to one or both ends of its chain.
Hence, the correct option is option C.

Note: Mannitol is used as an artificial sweetener for diabetic patients as it is poorly absorbed by the intestine. For patients suffering from glaucoma, mannitol is used as a medication to decrease the pressure in the eyes. Electrolyte problems and dehydration are the common side effects of using mannitol. It is also used as a laxative.