Monosaccharides

One means of classifying monosaccharides is based upon the number of carbon atoms (not less than 3):

• Trioses (3 carbons; e.g.: Glyceraldehyde and Dihydroxyacetone)
• Tetroses (4 carbons; e.g.: Erythrose, Threose, Erythrulose)
• Pentoses (5 carbons; e.g.: Ribose, Arabinose, Xylose, Ribulose)
• Hexoses (6 carbons; e.g.: Glucose, Fructose, Mannose, Galactose)
• Heptoses (7 carbons)
• Octoses (8 carbons)

Monosaccharides are commonly found in nature in the "D" isomeric forms.  Due to chirality (an assymetric carbon atom; a carbon with 4 different attached, constituent groups), 2 stereoisomers are possible (the "D" and "L" forms).  This "D" versus "L" nomenclature is based upon that which resembles the patterns of either D-glyceraldehyde or L-glyceraldehyde.

Glucose

D-Glucose is a 6-carbon monosaccharide (hexose).

Molecular formula

C6 H12 O6

This page updated by G. R. Frank.