Define monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccbaride. Give at least two examples of each. What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?

A monosaccharide is a single molecule of sugar. Monosaccharides are simple sugars such as glucose, fructose and galactose. All more complex sugars are decomposed to monosaccharides in order to be used by the body.

A monosaccharide is one sugar (ex. glucose, fructose), a disaccharide is 2 sugars bound together (ex. sucrose, lactose), and a polysaccharide is many sugars bound together (ex. starch, cellulose). Monosaccharides are the building units of carbohydrates. The primary function of carbohydrates in the body is to act as fuel for cellular processes, but they also play roles in signaling and structural support of the cell.