Monosaccharides - Biomolecules

These are very simple one unit non-hydrolysable sugars. They have the common formula C_nH_2nO_n where n changes from 3 to 9 carbon molecules. Approximately 20 monosaccharides take place in nature. The very easy are trioses (n=3)

The most significant naturally taking place monosaccharides are hexoses and pentoses. A general pentose is ribose and two general hexoses are glucose and fructose.

Apart from ketotriose {dihydroxyacetone}, all aldose and ketoses {monosaccharides} consist of asymmetric carbon atoms and are optically active.