Glyceraldehyde

Glyceraldehyde is a triose monosaccharide, or simple sugar, that plays a key role in many biochemical processes. It is the simplest of all common aldoses. Glyceraldehyde is a chiral molecule that can exist in either of two stereoisomers, D-glyceraldehyde and L-glyceraldehyde.

Structure and Properties

Glyceraldehyde is a three-carbon aldehyde. It is a chiral molecule, meaning it has two possible optical isomers, or stereoisomers. These are designated D-glyceraldehyde and L-glyceraldehyde. The D-isomer is the common form in nature.

Biological Role

Glyceraldehyde plays a key role in glycolysis, the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate. It is also involved in the Calvin cycle, which is the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.

Synthesis

Glyceraldehyde can be synthesized in the laboratory by the oxidation of glycerol, the triol that is the backbone of many lipids.

Health Implications

In the human body, glyceraldehyde can be converted to glycerol, which can then be used to produce triglycerides, a type of fat. High levels of triglycerides in the blood can increase the risk of heart disease.

See Also

• Monosaccharide
• Glycolysis
• Calvin cycle
• Glycerol
• Triglycerides

Glyceraldehyde Resources
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