Definition of monosaccharides

1. A term which includes aldoses, ketoses and a wide variety of derivatives. Derivation includes oxidation, deoxygenation, introduction of other substituents, alkylation and acylation of hydroxy groups, and chain branching. 2-Carb-1.2. Cf glycosides. See saccharides. E.g.

   Subgroups of monosaccharides mentioned in this glossary are aldoketoses, uronic acids and amino sugars.