XSIQ
*

Chemistry - Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides are the basic units from which more complex carbohydrates
are built. They are described as simple sugars and may contain between
three and six carbon atoms. The most important ones are the pentoses - five
carbons, and the hexoses - six carbons. The pentoses, ribose and
deoxyribose are part of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA. The most common
hexoses are glucose and fructose, found in fruits and honey. Glucose is the
main energy source for animals and plants, the sugar in blood sugar, the
basic unit of starch and cellulose, and a product of the digestion of the
disaccharides. Sucrose and lactose are key carbohydrates.

Previous | Next