<P> Galactan is a polymeric form of galactose found in hemicellulose, and forming the core of the galactans, a class of natural polymeric carbohydrates . </P> <P> The word "Galactose" is coined by Charles Weissman in mid 19th century from Greek galaktos ("milk") and the generic chemical suffix for sugars - ose . </P> <P> Galactose exists in both open - chain and cyclic form . The open - chain form has a carbonyl at the end of the chain . </P> <P> Four isomers are cyclic, two of them with a pyranose (six - membered) ring, two with a furanose (five - membered) ring . Galactofuranose occurs in bacteria, fungi and protozoa, and is recognized by a putative chordate immune lectin intelectin through its exocyclic 1, 2 - diol . In the cyclic form there are two anomers, named alpha and beta, since the transition from the open - chain form to the cyclic form involves the creation of a new stereocenter at the site of the open - chain carbonyl . In the beta form, the alcohol group is in the equatorial position, whereas in the alpha form, the alcohol group is in the axial position . </P>

Where is galactose found in the human body