The building blocks of carbohydrates are monosaccharides, which are the simplest units of carbohydrates and serve as the building blocks for all other sugars and carbohydrates
. Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules that have the general chemical formula of C6H12O6
. The three most common monosaccharides are glucose, fructose, and galactose
. These monosaccharides can be combined to form more complex carbohydrates, such as:
- Disaccharides : These are sugars made up of two single sugar units joined together. Examples include sucrose (table sugar), which is made of one glucose and one fructose molecule, and lactose (found in milk), which is made of one glucose and one galactose molecule
- Polysaccharides : These are polymers composed of hundreds of monosaccharide monomers linked together by glycosidic bonds. Examples include starch, cellulose, pectin, gums, and fiber
Monosaccharides are essential for providing energy to our cells and are found in various food sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains
