Definition
noun, plural: ketotrioses
A triose containing a ketone group, and in which the carbonyl group is in the middle of the chain
Supplement
An example of a natural ketotriose is dihydroxyacetone (DHA) (a.k.a. glycerone, formula: C3H6O3). DHA is a biochemical compound that takes a role in different metabolic pathways, e.g. glycolysis.
Its role in glycolysis:
DHA, especially with a phosphate group (i.e. DHAP), is one of the two intermediate products following the breakdown of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate through the help of the enzyme fructose-bisphosphate aldolase . The other intermediate product is glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.
Through the action of another enzyme, triose phosphate isomerase, DHAP molecule is rapidly converted into its isomer, D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.
Word origin: keto– (relating to ketone) + triose
Compare:
See also:
