Important carbohydrates required for the body are glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Glucose and fructose are simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates are classified into two types. They are monosaccharide and disaccharide. Monosaccharides are made of one sugar unit and are the most basic form of sugar. Example of monosaccharide – glucose, and fructose.
Disaccharides are formed with the dehydration reaction. They are formed with two monosaccharides by removing a water molecule. Example – sucrose.
Glucose
It is a monosaccharide. It is found in all major carbohydrates like starch, table sugar etc. It is also known as blood sugar or grape sugar. It is a six-membered ring. It forms a pyranose ring structure. It is aldohexose. It is the primary and preferred energy source of the body. Starch contains glucose.
Fructose
It is a monosaccharide. It is found in vegetables and fruits. The glycemic index is lower in fructose when compared to glucose. The binding of fructose to cellular protein is seven times faster than glucose. Fructose is also called as fruit sugar or D- fructose. Its functional group is the ketone. It is metabolized mainly in the liver. It is not found in starch.
To make you understand how glucose and fructose are different from each other, here are some major differences between glucose and fructose:
| Difference between Glucose and Fructose | |
| GLUCOSE | FRUCTOSE |
| Also known as grape sugar | Also known as fruit sugar |
| Six-membered ring | Five-membered ring |
| The preferred energy source for the body | Not the preferred energy source for brain and muscles |
| Less lipogenic | More lipogenic |
| Less fat producing | More fat producing |
| Relies on hexokinase/ glucokinase for
initiating metabolism |
Relies on fructokinase for initiating metabolism |
| It is an aldohexose | It is a ketohexose |
| Forms a pyranose ring structure | Forms a furan ring structure |
These were some important difference between fructose and glucose. To know the differences between other topics in chemistry you can register to BYJU’S or download our app for simple and interesting content. India’s largest k-12 learning app with top-notch teachers from across the nation with excellent teaching skills. Find notes, question papers for other subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Biology and various competitive exams as well. Enjoy learning with great experience. Learning is no more boring with BYJU’S.
Also Read
| Classification of carbohydrates | Monosaccharides |
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