Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides (/ˌmɒnoʊˈsækəraɪd/, from Greek monos: single, sacchar: sugar) are the simplest form of carbohydrates. They are the most basic units of biologically important carbohydrates. They are composed of one sugar and are usually colorless, water-soluble, and crystalline solids. Some monosaccharides have a sweet taste.

Etymology

The word "monosaccharide" is derived from Greek words "monos" meaning "single" and "sacchar" meaning "sugar".

Types of Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides can be classified based on the number of carbon atoms in the molecule, ranging from three (trioses) to seven (heptoses). They can also be classified based on their functional group. If the sugar has an aldehyde group (the functional group with the structure R-CHO), it is an aldose; if it has a ketone group (the functional group with the structure RC(=O)R'), it is a ketose.

Trioses

Trioses are monosaccharides with three carbon atoms. There are two trioses, glyceraldehyde, an aldose, and dihydroxyacetone, a ketose.

Tetroses

Tetroses are monosaccharides with four carbon atoms. An example of a tetroses is erythrose, an aldose.

Pentoses

Pentoses are monosaccharides with five carbon atoms. Examples of pentoses are ribose and deoxyribose, which are found in nucleic acid.

Hexoses

Hexoses are monosaccharides with six carbon atoms. Glucose, the most common monosaccharide, is a hexose. Other examples of hexoses include fructose and galactose.

Biological Importance

Monosaccharides are important fuel molecules as well as building blocks for nucleotides. The primary role of monosaccharides in metabolism is to be converted to glucose for metabolism. They are also used in the biosynthesis of lipids and amino acids.

Related Terms

• Disaccharide
• Polysaccharide
• Glucose
• Fructose
• Galactose

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Monosaccharides
• Wikipedia's article - Monosaccharides

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