Aldose

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Aldose

Aldose (/ˈældoʊs/) is a type of monosaccharide (simple sugar) that contains an aldehyde group (-CHO) at the end of the carbon chain. The term "aldose" is derived from the words "aldehyde" and "ose," a suffix used in chemical nomenclature to denote sugars.

Etymology

The term "aldose" was first used in the late 19th century and is a combination of the words "aldehyde" and "ose." The "-ose" suffix is derived from glucose, a type of sugar, and is used to denote sugars in chemical nomenclature. The term "aldehyde" is derived from the Latin word "al" meaning "of" and the Greek word "dehydro" meaning "remove water."

Structure and Classification

Aldoses can be classified based on the number of carbon atoms they contain. For example, an aldose with three carbon atoms is called a triose, one with four is called a tetrose, one with five is called a pentose, and one with six is called a hexose.

Aldoses can exist in either a straight-chain form or a cyclic form. In the straight-chain form, the aldehyde group is at the end of the carbon chain. In the cyclic form, the aldehyde group reacts with a hydroxyl group on another carbon atom to form a hemiacetal ring structure.

Biological Importance

Aldoses play a crucial role in various biological processes. They serve as a source of energy for cells and are involved in cellular communication and signaling. Some aldoses, such as glucose, are essential for life.

Related Terms

  • Ketose: A type of monosaccharide that contains a ketone group.
  • Isomer: Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas.
  • Epimer: Two sugars that differ only in the configuration around one carbon atom.

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