Dictionary > Hexose

Hexose

Definition
noun, plural: hexoses
A six-carbon monosaccharide
Supplement
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates. They are classified according to the number of carbon atoms in a monosaccharide. In particular, a hexose is a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms. Monosaccharides may also be classified based on the type of carbonyl group they contain. An aldose is a monosaccharide that contains an aldehyde group (-CHO) at position 1 whereas a ketose is one that contains a ketone (C=O) at position 2. Thus, an aldohexose is a hexose with an aldehyde group. A ketohexose, in contrast, is a hexose with a ketone functional group located in position 2.
Aldohexoses have four chiral centers. Because of that there are 16 possible stereoisomers. Examples of aldohexoses are glucose, mannose, galactose, gulose, idose, talose, allose, and altrose. Glucose is a one of the products of photosynthesis in plants and other photosynthetic organisms. It also serves as an important metabolic intermediate of cellular respiration. In animals, an excess of glucose is stored as glycogen. In plants, glucose molecules are stored as repeating units of sugar (e.g. starch).
Ketohexoses have three chiral centers. As such, there are eight possible stereoisomers. Examples of ketohexoses are fructose, piscose, sorbose, and tagatose.
Word origin: hex(a)– (“six”) + –ose” (relating to sugars)
See also:

Related term(s):

  • Hexose monophosphate shunt


  • You will also like...

    Control of body movement
    Control of Body Movement

    Some of the body movements can be controlled at will, others cannot. The body has a motor program, which is the pattern ..

    Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid
    Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

    This tutorial describes the role of gibberellin family in plants. Find out the effects of gibberellin on plant growth an..

    Selective Breeding
    Selective Breeding

    Gregor Mendel's studies into Monohybrid and Dihybrid crossing and Charles Darwin's study of evolution and natural select..

    Chemical effects on plant growth and development
    Effect of Chemicals on Growth & Development in Organisms

    Plants and animals need elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium for proper growth and developme..

    human brain structure
    The Conscious & Unconscious Nervous System

    This tutorial elaborates on how the nervous system works, particularly at the tissue level of the brain. There are three..

    Birth of a Human Baby
    Birth of a Human Baby

    Following nine months inside the mother's womb is the birth of the baby. Know the different stages of the birthing proce..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics