ketosaccharide

A ketosaccharide is a type of carbohydrate that contains a ketone functional group. This distinguishes it from aldoses, which contain an aldehyde functional group. Ketosaccharides are characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) that is bonded to two other carbon atoms. The general formula for ketosaccharides is C_n(H_2O)_{n-1}, where n is typically three or greater.

The simplest ketosaccharide is dihydroxyacetone, which has three carbon atoms. Fructose, a common sugar found in fruits and honey, is a well-known example of a ketosaccharide, specifically a ketohexose with six carbon atoms. Other examples include ribulose and xylulose, which are important in various biological pathways.

Ketosaccharides participate in many biochemical reactions. For instance, fructose can be phosphorylated in the body to form fructose-1-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate, which enter glycolysis. The chemical properties of ketosaccharides, particularly their reactivity due to the ketone group, are significant in carbohydrate chemistry and metabolism. Their structure dictates their specific interactions with enzymes and other molecules within biological systems.