monosaccharide
Definition
- Noun:
- A simple sugar that cannot be broken down into simpler sugars by hydrolysis: A monosaccharide is the most basic unit of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar molecule. It is the simplest form of sugar and serves as a building block for more complex carbohydrates.
Usage
- Monosaccharides are classified by the number of carbon atoms they contain (e.g., trioses, pentoses, hexoses).
- They are the primary form of sugar absorbed directly into the bloodstream during digestion.
- Common examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Examples
- Noun:
- Glucose is a vital monosaccharide that provides energy for cells.
- Fructose, a monosaccharide found in fruits, is sweeter than glucose.
- The basic structural formula of a monosaccharide is (CH₂O)n, where n is typically 3, 5, or 6.
Advanced Usage
- "Aldose" and "Ketose": Monosaccharides are further categorized based on their functional group. An aldose has an aldehyde group (e.g., glucose), while a ketose has a ketone group (e.g., fructose).
- "Ring formation": In aqueous solutions, monosaccharides often exist in cyclic ring structures rather than as straight chains.
Variants and Related Words
- Monosaccharose (n): A less common synonym for monosaccharide.
- Simple sugar (n): A common descriptive term for a monosaccharide.
- Ose (suffix): The suffix '-ose' typically indicates a sugar (e.g., glucose, sucrose). A monosaccharide is a single '-ose' unit.
Synonyms
- Simple carbohydrate: Emphasizes its role as a basic carb.
- Reducing sugar: Refers to many monosaccharides' chemical property of acting as a reducing agent (though some disaccharides are also reducing sugars).
Related Phrases and Terms
- "Hexose monosaccharide": A monosaccharide with six carbon atoms, such as glucose or fructose.
- "Pentose monosaccharide": A monosaccharide with five carbon atoms, such as ribose, a component of RNA.
Notes
- Monosaccharides are crystalline, water-soluble, and usually have a sweet taste.
- They are isomers of each other, meaning they share the same chemical formula but have different structural arrangements (e.g., glucose and fructose are both C₆H₁₂O₆).
Noun
-
a sugar (like sucrose or fructose) that does not hydrolyse to give other sugars; the simplest group of carbohydrates
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