Discover what monosaccharides are, key examples, types, and their role in nutrition. Learn their structure and importance for exams and daily life. Monosaccharides are the building blocks of disaccharides (such as sucrose, lactose and maltose) and polysaccharides (such as cellulose and starch). The table sugar used in everyday vernacular is a disaccharide sucrose derived from the condensation of one molecule of each of the monosaccharides D -glucose and D -fructose. [3] What are monosaccharides or simple sugars? Monosaccharides [Greek monos = single; sacchar = sugar] or simple sugars consist of one sugar unit that cannot be further broken down into simpler sugars [1]. Examples of monosaccharides in foods are glucose, fructose and galactose. Monosaccharides are polyhydric aldehydes and ketones that cannot be hydrolyzed into simple carbohydrates. Monosaccharides with aldehyde group (-CHO) are called aldoses while monosaccharides with ketonic group (C=0) are called ketoses. For example, glucose, fructose, ribose, etc. Question 3: Explain what is meant by the pyranose structure of ...
