<P> Monosaccharides ( from Greek monos : single , sacchar : sugar ) , also called simple sugars , are the most basic units of carbohydrates . They are fundamental units of carbohydrates and can not be further hydrolyzed to simpler compounds . The general formula is C nH 2n O n . They are the simplest form of sugar and are usually colorless , water - soluble , and crystalline solids . Some monosaccharides have a sweet taste . Examples of monosaccharides include glucose ( dextrose ) , fructose ( levulose ) and galactose . Monosaccharides are the building blocks of disaccharides ( such as sucrose and lactose ) and polysaccharides ( such as cellulose and starch ) . Further , each carbon atom that supports a hydroxyl group ( so , all of the carbons except for the primary and terminal carbon ) is chiral , giving rise to a number of isomeric forms , all with the same chemical formula . For instance , galactose and glucose are both aldohexoses , but have different physical structures and chemical properties . </P>
<P> Monosaccharides ( from Greek monos : single , sacchar : sugar ) , also called simple sugars , are the most basic units of carbohydrates . They are fundamental units of carbohydrates and can not be further hydrolyzed to simpler compounds . The general formula is C nH 2n O n . They are the simplest form of sugar and are usually colorless , water - soluble , and crystalline solids . Some monosaccharides have a sweet taste . Examples of monosaccharides include glucose ( dextrose ) , fructose ( levulose ) and galactose . Monosaccharides are the building blocks of disaccharides ( such as sucrose and lactose ) and polysaccharides ( such as cellulose and starch ) . Further , each carbon atom that supports a hydroxyl group ( so , all of the carbons except for the primary and terminal carbon ) is chiral , giving rise to a number of isomeric forms , all with the same chemical formula . For instance , galactose and glucose are both aldohexoses , but have different physical structures and chemical properties . </P>
state the general molecular formula for a monosaccharide
state the general molecular formula for a monosaccharide
C nH 2n O n
C nH 2n O n