Monosaccharides containing a ketone group
(carbonyl) are called ketoses. Carbohydrates
are produced in plants by photosynthesis and are
classified into monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and
polysaccharides. The term ‘carbohydrates’ now
includes all polyhydroxy-aldehydes and ketones along
with substances they yield on hydrolysis.
Monosaccharides containing a ketone group are called
ketoses and those containing aldehyde groups are called
aldoses. The most important ketoses containing five
carbon atoms are pentoses and those containing six
carbon atoms are hexoses. One important hexose is
fructose, a sugar found in honey and fruit.
