Galactose facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Galactose
Identifiers
CAS number	59-23-4
PubChem	439357
KEGG	D04291
MeSH	Galactose
ChEBI	CHEBI:28061
ATC code	V04CE01, V08DA02 (microparticles)
SMILES	O[C@H]1[C@@H](O)[C@H](O[C@H](O)[C@@H]1O)CO
InChI InChI=1/C6H12O6/c7-1-2-3(8)4(9)5(10)6(11)12-2/h2-11H,1H2/t2−,3+,4+,5−,6+/m1/s1
Properties
Molecular formula	C6H12O6
Molar mass	180.156 g mol−1
Density	1.723 g/cm3
Melting point	167 °C, 440 K, 333 °F
Solubility in water	683.0 g/L
Hazards
NFPA 704	1 2 0
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Galactose (from the Greek stem γάλακτ– galakt–, "milk") is a sugar. It has almost the same chemical structure as glucose. Large amounts of pure galactose do not exist in nature. Instead, galactose is usually found with glucose in lactose, a sugar found in milk and other milk products. After lactose is digested and absorbed, galactose arrives in the liver. There it is changed into either glucose or glycogen.

Images for kids

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  Chair conformation of D-Galactopyranose

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  Galactose metabolism

See also

In Spanish: Galactosa para niños