monosaccharides
Single-unit carbohydrates
Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates—single sugar molecules that cannot be broken down into simpler sugars.
Glucose, fructose, and galactose are the most common.
They serve as the basic building blocks of more complex carbohydrates: two monosaccharides form a disaccharide (like table sugar), and many linked together form polysaccharides (like starch).
The body breaks down complex carbs into monosaccharides for absorption.
Primary cellular fuel
- fructoseMonosaccharide in produce
- galactoseMonosaccharide from lactose breakdown
- ribosePentose in nucleotides
- deoxyriboseSugar in genetic helices
Tasting of sugar
- tasteFlavor perception ability
- honeyBees' viscous nectar product
- syrupThick sugar liquid
- nectarFloral sugar water
sweetener · flavor · palate · sucrose · fructose · sorbitol · xylitol · stevia
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- catabolismMetabolic molecular dismantling
phosphorylation · oxidation · fermentation · pyruvate · bioenergetics · energy · cellular · bloodstream
Ketone-bearing simple sugar
- pentoseFive-carbon monosaccharide
- hexoseSix-carbon monosaccharide
- chiralityMirror-image non-superimposability
- isomerSame formula, different shape
stereoisomer · ring · chain · carbonyl · hydroxyl · asymmetric · configuration · alpha
Glucose-fructose disaccharide
- maltoseTwo-glucose disaccharide
- lactoseDisaccharide in dairy
- starchComplex plant carbohydrate
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
glycogen · chitin · polymer · chain · linkage · condensation · bond · unit
Sugar or starch compound
- reducingMaking less or smaller
- polyolMulti-hydroxyl alcohol compound
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
derivative · synthesis · hydrolysis · enzyme · substrate · pathway · biomolecule
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
sweet
Tasting of sugar
nectar · sweetener · flavor · palate · sucrose · fructose · sorbitol · xylitol · stevia · natural
glycolysis
Glucose metabolism producing ATP
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- respirationGas exchange in organisms
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
catabolism · phosphorylation · oxidation · fermentation · pyruvate · bioenergetics · energy · cellular · bloodstream · insulin
ketose
Ketone-bearing simple sugar
- pentoseFive-carbon monosaccharide
- hexoseSix-carbon monosaccharide
- chiralityMirror-image non-superimposability
isomer · stereoisomer · ring · chain · carbonyl · hydroxyl · asymmetric · configuration · alpha · beta
sucrose
Glucose-fructose disaccharide
cellulose · glycogen · chitin · polymer · chain · linkage · condensation · bond · unit · monomer
carbohydrate
Sugar or starch compound
- reducingMaking less or smaller
- polyolMulti-hydroxyl alcohol compound
- sugarCrystalline carbohydrate sweetener
alcohol · derivative · synthesis · hydrolysis · enzyme · substrate · pathway · biomolecule
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- organic compoundshydrocarbon, alcohol, alkane, ethane, propane
- carbohydratesglucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, starch
- FODMAPsfructose, lactose, polyols, sorbitol, mannitol
- Sugar Metabolismglucose, blood sugar, glycolysis, glycogen, blood glucose monitor
- sweetenerssugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, white sugar
monosaccharidespolysaccharides
Multi-unit sugar polymers
complex carbohydrates · starches · glycogen · cellulose · disaccharides