The monomer that makes up a carbohydrate polymer is called a monosaccharide. Common examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
To explain further, carbohydrates are macromolecules that can be composed of one or more monosaccharide units. When monosaccharides link together through glycosidic bonds, they form disaccharides or polysaccharides, which are more complex carbohydrate structures.
For instance, when two glucose molecules join, they form maltose, a disaccharide. If many glucose units connect, they can form starch or cellulose, which are polysaccharides. Therefore, understanding that monosaccharides serve as the building blocks for larger carbohydrate structures is crucial for grasping the overall function and importance of carbohydrates in biological systems.