A carbohydrate monomer is a simple sugar unit, also known as a monosaccharide, which serves as the building block for more complex carbohydrates. Common examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Monosaccharides are characterized by their basic molecular structure, which typically includes a carbon backbone with hydroxyl groups (-OH) and a carbonyl group (C=O). They can exist in linear forms or ring structures. When two monosaccharides bond together, they form disaccharides (like sucrose or lactose), and when many are connected, they create polysaccharides (like starch or cellulose).
Understanding carbohydrate monomers is crucial because they play essential roles in energy storage and supply in living organisms. They also participate in various biological functions, including cellular structure and signaling.