1. a simple three-carbon sugar (aldose) that is an important intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism and glycolysis
Usage: chemistry; biochemistry; also called glyceral

Examples

• Glyceraldehyde is a key molecule in the breakdown of glucose during cellular respiration.
• The enzyme aldolase catalyzes the conversion of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate.
• In biochemistry labs, students study glyceraldehyde as a fundamental example of an aldose sugar.
• Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate is an important intermediate in both glycolysis and gluconeogenesis.
• The structure of glyceraldehyde contains an aldehyde group and two hydroxyl groups.