Definition
noun, plural: tetroses
A four-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 tetrose is a monosaccharide with four 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) whereas a ketose is one that contains a ketone (C=O). Thus, an aldotetrose is a tetrose with an aldehyde group and therefore the carbonyl group is located in position 1. A ketotetrose, in contrast, is a tetrose with a ketone functional group located in position 2.
Naturally-occurring tetroses are D-erythrose, D-threose, and D-erythrulose. The erythrose, C4H8O4, is a tetrose with one aldehyde group. It was first isolated by French pharmacist Louis Feux Joseph Garot in 1849. The erythrose 4-phosphate is a metabolite in the Calvin cycle and in the pentose phosphate pathway. Threose is a tetrose and an enantiomer of erythrose. Another enantiomer is erythrulose. It has the same chemical formula: C4H8O4. Nevertheless, the erythrulose is a ketotetrose for having a ketone group in its structure.
Word origin: tetr(a)– (“four”) + –ose (relating to sugars)
See also:
Dictionary > Tetrose
You will also like...
![Salmon jumping upstream in the river](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lotic-Communities-Animals-257x168.jpg)
Lotic Communities & Animals
A running water environment offers numerous microhabitats for many types of animals. Similar to plants, animals in lotic..
![Cambial cells](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Plant-Tissues-253x168.jpg)
Plant Tissues
Plant organs are comprised of tissues working together for a common function. The different types of plant tissues are m..
![Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gene-Regulation-in-Eukaryotes-300x168.jpg)
Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes
Learn about the general structure of a eukaryotic gene, the transcription factors, and post-transcriptional regulation....
![Still freshwater and plants](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Still-Freshwater-Plants-262x168.jpg)
Still Freshwater & Plants
Plants in lentic habitats have features not found in terrestrial plants. They acquired these features as they adapt to t..
![Biological Viruses](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Biological-Viruses-224x168.jpg)
Biological Viruses
Viruses possess both living and non-living characteristics. This unique feature distinguishes them from other organisms...
![Evolution of Life - Ancient Earth](https://www.biologyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Evolution-of-Life-Ancient-Earth-300x168.jpg)
Evolution of Life – Ancient Earth
Autotrophs flourished, absorbing carbon and light. Soon after, primitive life forms that could assimilate oxygen thrived..