Triose

A triose is a monosaccharide containing three carbon atoms. There are only two trioses, an aldotriose (glyceraldehyde) and a ketotriose (dihydroxyacetone). Trioses are important in respiration.

The 1 D -aldotriose is:

CH=O |       HC-OH |        CH2OH D -Glyceraldehyde

The 1 ketotriose is:

CH2OH |        C=O |        CH2OH Dihydroxyacetone