ScienceJuly 13, 2026
glyceraldehyde
/ˌɡlɪs.əˈræl.də.haɪd/
Definition
A simple sugar molecule consisting of three carbon atoms that serves as a fundamental building block in prebiotic chemistry.
Etymology
The name is a blend of 'glycerol,' referring to the sweet, syrupy alcohol it is derived from, and 'aldehyde,' the chemical functional group it contains. It was first synthesized in the 19th century by oxidation of glycerol.
In the news
The article mentions glyceraldehyde as a three-carbon sugar that researchers expected to find in the galactic center, but surprisingly did not detect, unlike the more abundant four-carbon erythrulose.
The Center of Our Galaxy Is More Like a Raspberry Donut Than We Realized
Read the full article ↗ScienceAlert