aldose vs. ketose

aldose vs. ketose: What's the difference?

Aldose and ketose are both simple sugars (monosaccharides). They differ in composition: aldose contains an aldehyde (CHO) group (consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen), while ketose contains a ketone (CO) group (consisting of carbon and oxygen). Fructose is a ketose; glucose and ribose are aldoses. The suffix -ose is used in the names of sugars and carbohydrates. The ald- in aldose comes from aldehyde; the keto- in ketose comes from ketone.