We have already discussed chirality, but be sure to understand how this applies to the sugars we'll be talking about. And remember: for a carbon chain with n chiral centers, there are 2n stereoisomers.
11.3:
Fisher projections: as you draw your molecules, to the top & bottom of a carbon are bonds which in reality bend into the page; the bonds to the left & right of each carbon would protrude out from the page. If you have trouble visualizing this, come see me for a molecular model.
11.4:
It is important to recognize both the straight chain and cyclic hemiacetal forms of glucose (indeed, of any sugar). Practice drawing the cyclic structures from the straight chains given throughout the chapter. Also, know what the anomers of a cyclized sugar are.
11.5:
Know the four sugars discussed in more depth here; their appearance, # of carbon atoms, whether ketose or aldose, and (if any) their use/function in the body.
11.6:
Be able to identify rxn products for the oxidation of monosaccharides (both aldoses and ketoses); rxns with alcohols (cyclic hemiacetals à acetals) yielding glycosides. Be able to identify the glycosidic bond. And understand that more than one sugar can be strung together with these glycosidic bonds to form polysaccharides.
11.7:
Learn the a and b orientations for glycosidic bonds….Then read about the three disaccharides discussed in this chapter and memorize the component sugars of each disaccharide and their bond orientation. Finally, note that sucrose is the only common disaccharide that is not a reducing sugar. WHY?
11.8:
Be able to identify a glucosamine or a glucuronate molecule…and then read up on the uses of certain substituted sugars in structural and communicative roles by the body.
11.9:
Cellulose, starch and glycogen are very important. Know their linkages (but don't worry, you won't have to draw them).