KETOTRIOSE

Ketotriose is a monosaccharide having both a ketone group (a ketose) and three carbons (a triose).

STRUCTURE

To be a ketotriose, monosaccharide must qualify as both ketose and triose. Being triose means that it must contain three carbon atoms, either in an open chain or closed ring. On the other hand, it must also contain a carbonyl group bridging at the middle of the carbon chain to make it a ketose.

COMMON EXAMPLE

A common example of a natural ketotriose is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is a biochemical compound that takes a role in different metabolic pathways just like glycolysis.

LEGEND

RED - Oxygen
BLACK - Carbon
GREY - Hydrogen

KETOTETROSE

Ketotetrose is a monosaccharide having both a ketone group (a ketose) and four carbons (a tetrose).

STRUCTURE

To be a ketotetrose, monosaccharide must qualify as both ketose and tetrose. Being tetrose means that it must contain four carbon atoms, either in an open chain or closed ring. On the other hand, it must also contain a carbonyl group bridging at the middle of the carbon chain to make it a ketose.

COMMON EXAMPLE

A common example of a ketotetrose is Erythrulose. Erythrulose is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of C4H8O4. It is often used in self-tanning products.

LEGEND

RED - Oxygen
BLACK - Carbon
GREY - Hydrogen

KETOPENTOSE

Ketopentose is a monosaccharide having both a ketone group (a ketose) and five carbons (a pentose).

STRUCTURE

To be a ketopentose, monosaccharide must qualify as both ketose and pentose. Being pentose means that it must contain five carbon atoms, either in an open chain or closed ring. On the other hand, it must also contain a carbonyl group bridging at the middle of the carbon chain to make it a ketose.

COMMON EXAMPLE

A common example of ketopentose is ribulose. It is a component of the enzyme ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco which) catalyzes the formation of organic molecules from CO2. As the major enzyme of all photosynthetic cells, Rubisco is the most abundant protein on Earth.

LEGEND

RED - Oxygen
BLACK - Carbon
GREY - Hydrogen