| Galactose | Glucose | |
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Galactose is an isomer of glucose. This means that they both share the same formula: C6H12O6. The only real difference is that the -H and -OH groups on carbon 4 (labelled) face in different directions. Both of these are shown in the α-form, with the -OH on carbon 1 projecting downwards, but they can each be found in the β-form,with the -OH pointing upwards. |