Questions: Which of the following is not a way that simple sugars differ from each other? The relative positions of the hydroxyl (OH) groups. The location of the carbonyl (double bonded oxygen) group. The number of carbon atoms in the sugar. The number of sodium ions attached to one of the carbons.

The answer is the fourth one: The number of sodium ions attached to one of the carbons.

Explanation for each option:

1. The relative positions of the hydroxyl (OH) groups.

   • This is a way simple sugars can differ. The arrangement of hydroxyl groups affects the sugar's properties and classification (e.g., glucose vs. galactose).

2. The location of the carbonyl (double bonded oxygen) group.

   • This is another way simple sugars differ. The position of the carbonyl group determines whether a sugar is an aldose (carbonyl at the end) or a ketose (carbonyl in the middle).

3. The number of carbon atoms in the sugar.

   • Simple sugars can differ in the number of carbon atoms, leading to classifications like trioses, pentoses, and hexoses.

4. The number of sodium ions attached to one of the carbons.

   • This is not a typical way simple sugars differ. Simple sugars do not naturally have sodium ions attached to their carbon atoms as part of their structure.

In summary, the correct answer is that simple sugars do not differ by the number of sodium ions attached to one of the carbons.