what functional groups make simple sugars sweet
1 All carbohydrates are characterized by the carbonyl functional group (C=O) along with a number of hydroxyl functional groups(CâOH). 2  Aldehydes have the carbonyl group at the end of the molecule. 3  Glucose, pictured here, is an example of an aldehyde sugar (aldose). 4  It is the most common monosaccharide in living systems. All carbohydrates are characterized by the carbonyl functional group (C=O) along with a number of hydroxyl functional groups(CâOH). 2  Aldehydes have the carbonyl group at the end of the molecule. 3  Glucose, pictured here, is an example of an aldehyde sugar (aldose). 4  It is the most common monosaccharide in living systems.