hexose

1 8.2

A simple sugar that has six carbon atoms, for example glucose

noun
/ˈhɛksoʊs/

Specialized

: hexosa

And so fructose is a hexose just like glucose.

Examples

Both glucose and fructose are common examples of a hexose sugar, each containing six carbon atoms.
But it turns out fructose is the only D hexose ketose that really is relevant for nature.
After successfully finding ways to break down corn fiber into hexoses and pentoses, the researchers' next challenge is to identify or develop strains of microorganisms.

Academic text (1996)
In biology, a hexose is crucial for energy production, as it plays a key role in cellular metabolism.
When discussing carbohydrates, a hexose refers to any monosaccharide that has six carbons.

Surface Forms

hexose singular

hexoses plural

Morphology

hexose = hex + ose

Formed from the combining form 'hex-' (six) + the chemical suffix '-ose' (sugar); the meaning 'six-carbon sugar' is clear to those familiar with scientific combining forms but not obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word hexose comes from the Greek parts hex- meaning 'six' and -ose meaning 'sugar', as in hexagon for a six-sided shape. So a hexose is literally a 'six' sugar, a sugar that has six carbon atoms.