monosaccharide
Sign in to saveMonosaccharides (from Greek monos: single, sacchar: sugar), also called simple sugars, are a class of organic compounds usually with the formula (CH2O)x. By definition they have two or more carbon-carbon bonds. More specifically, they are classified as polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones with the respective formulas or respectively. Monosaccharides can be classified by the number x of carbon atoms they contain: triose (3), tetrose (4), pentose (5), hexose (6), heptose (7), and so on.
AI overview
Monosaccharides, also called simple sugars, are basic organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that serve as the building blocks of more complex carbohydrates in living organisms. They vary in size depending on how many carbon atoms they contain—ranging from three-carbon trioses to larger structures—and are classified chemically as either polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones.
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Article
11 sectionsContents
- Structure and nomenclature
- Linear-chain monosaccharides
- Open-chain stereoisomers
- Configuration of monosaccharides
- {{vanchor|Cyclisation}} of monosaccharides (hemiacetal formation)
- Haworth projection
- Derivatives
- See also
- References
- Literature
- External links
Monosaccharides (from Greek monos: single, sacchar: sugar), also called simple sugars, are a class of organic compounds usually with the formula (CH2O)x. By definition they have two or more carbon-carbon bonds. More specifically, they are classified as polyhydroxy aldehydes or polyhydroxy ketones with the respective formulas or respectively. Monosaccharides can be classified by the number x of carbon atoms they contain: triose (3), tetrose (4), pentose (5), hexose (6), heptose (7), and so on.
They are colorless, water-soluble, and crystalline organic solids. Contrary to their name (sugars), only some monosaccharides have a sweet taste.