Monosaccharides

Monosaccharides or oses are the simplest carbohydrates and cannot be hydrolysed. There are two types: aldoses and cetoses.

They are distinguished by the number of carbon atoms in their chemical structure: such as trioses, pentoses, and hexoses. The main monosaccharides are glucose, fructose and mannose. They all have the same chemical formula (Cn(H2O)n), although have different configurations.