The simplest form of carbohydrates, which consists of 3 major elements C,H,and O, given that the ratio of H to O is always 2:1(formula of glucose: C6H12O6). Also, they are all reducing sugars.
Monosaccharides are soluble in water, which makes them taste sweet. Monosaccharides has energy content.
Common
examples are glucose, fructose and galactose.
By hydrolysis, monosaccharides can be reacted into disaccharides, which is
reversible by
condensation process. Polysaccharides are a chain of monosaccharides binded together.