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From: bl@hplabsb.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: left-handed sugar
Message-ID: <3213@hplabsb.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 31-Dec-85 23:51:33 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabsb.3213
Posted: Tue Dec 31 23:51:33 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 3-Jan-86 01:17:28 EST
References: <851217151534.364613@HI-MULTICS.ARPA>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 11

> Left-handed sugars cannot be metabolized because the enzyme that
> metabolizes sugar (Sucrase) is right-handed and won't fit into
> left-handed sucrose (Sinister sucrose??  :-) .  The taste buds are not
> chemically asymetrical, so either left- or right- handed sugars taste
> sweet.  Enzymes are like putting gloves on the wrong hand, whereas taste
> buds are like putting socks on the "wrong" foot.

Are you sure about this?  The sense of smell can detect the difference
between optical (i.e., left and right handed) isomers.  While a left and
right handed sugar may both taste sweet, do they taste the same?  Probably,
since taste can only detect sweet, sour, bitter, and salty.