Definition

A type of simple sugar that has three carbon atoms in its structure.

Example

Glyceraldehyde is an example of a triose.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a triose?

I think I learned about it in my biology class.

Yeah, it's a type of sugar with three carbon atoms, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how many types of sugars there are.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Triose is formed from the prefix "tri-" (meaning three) and the suffix "-ose" (meaning full of or characterized by). The word refers to a type of sugar that contains three carbon atoms, hence the connection to the number three.

Memory Tip

Think of 'tri-' meaning three, and '-ose' indicating a type of sugar. This helps you remember that a triose is a sugar with three carbon atoms.

Visually Confused Words