Hexose

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Hexose

Hexose (/ˈhɛksoʊs/) is a type of monosaccharide with six carbon atoms. The term is derived from the Greek word "hex", meaning six, and the Latin "ose", a suffix used in the nomenclature of sugars.

Etymology

The term "hexose" originates from the Greek word "hex", which means six, and the Latin "ose", a common suffix used in the naming of sugars. This is in reference to the six carbon atoms that make up a hexose molecule.

Structure

Hexoses are classified based on the functional group present in the molecule. If the molecule contains an aldehyde group, it is known as an aldohexose. If it contains a ketone group, it is known as a ketohexose.

Examples

Common examples of hexoses include glucose, galactose, and fructose. These sugars are all important in biology, particularly in the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

Related Terms

  • Monosaccharide: A simple sugar that constitutes the building blocks of more complex forms of sugars.
  • Aldohexose: A hexose with an aldehyde group.
  • Ketohexose: A hexose with a ketone group.
  • Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
  • Galactose: A sugar of the hexose class, which is a component of lactose and many polysaccharides.
  • Fructose: A hexose sugar found especially in honey and fruit.

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