Which term refers to the simplest form of carbohydrates made up of single sugar molecules?

Monosaccharides are indeed the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules. These fundamental building blocks can be combined to form more complex carbohydrates through glycosidic bonds. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are common examples of monosaccharides, each having distinct structural formulas and properties. Their structure typically involves a carbon skeleton with hydroxyl (–OH) groups and a carbonyl (C=O) group, allowing them to participate in various metabolic pathways.

In contrast, disaccharides are formed from two monosaccharides linked together, while polysaccharides consist of long chains of monosaccharide units. Oligosaccharides fall in between, comprising a small number of monosaccharides, but still more than one. Therefore, monosaccharides are critical as they serve as both the simplest carbohydrate form and as essential substrates for energy production and metabolic processes.