ketose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical, Scientific, Academic
Quick answer
What does “ketose” mean?
A monosaccharide sugar containing a ketone group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A monosaccharide sugar containing a ketone group.
In biochemistry, a sugar whose molecule contains a ketone functional group, such as fructose, in contrast to aldoses which contain an aldehyde group. Ketoses are important in metabolic pathways.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical differences. Pronunciations differ (see IPA). Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical, purely technical term.
Frequency
Identical. Only used in specialist scientific contexts (biochemistry, nutrition, chemistry).
Grammar
How to Use “ketose” in a Sentence
[Ketose] is a type of [sugar/monosaccharide].Fructose is an example of a [ketose].The enzyme catalyzes the conversion of an [aldose] to a [ketose].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ketose” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The ketose form of the sugar is less stable under these conditions.
- We identified a ketose phosphate intermediate.
American English
- The ketose form of the sugar is less stable under these conditions.
- We identified a ketose phosphate intermediate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology lectures, textbooks, and research papers. Central to discussions of carbohydrate structure and metabolism.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core terminology in nutritional science, food chemistry, and metabolic engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ketose”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ketose”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ketose”
- Mispronouncing it to rhyme with 'ketosis' (e.g., /kiːˈtəʊsɪs/).
- Using it as a countable noun for a single molecule without an article ('It is ketose' vs. 'It is a ketose').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Fructose, found in fruits, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup, is the most common ketose in the human diet.
No. 'Ketose' is a type of sugar molecule. 'Ketosis' is a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel, producing ketone bodies. They are unrelated concepts with similar-sounding names.
Yes, many ketoses are reducing sugars because they can tautomerise to form an aldehyde group under basic conditions, allowing them to reduce other compounds.
Look for the carbonyl group (C=O). In a ketose, this carbon is bonded to two other carbon atoms, typically at the second position in the carbon chain of the sugar.
A monosaccharide sugar containing a ketone group.
Ketose is usually technical, scientific, academic in register.
Ketose: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkiːtəʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkiːtoʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: KEYtose – the KEY structural feature is a KETone group in the sugar.
Conceptual Metaphor
A ketose is a member of a chemical 'family' (the sugars) distinguished by its 'architectural feature' (the ketone group).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining functional group of a ketose?