What is the building block of carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are one of the four main types of macromolecules that make up living organisms, along with proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The building blocks of carbohydrates are simple sugars, also known as monosaccharides. Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules that serve as the basic units of carbohydrates.

Some examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. These monosaccharides can be linked together through a process called dehydration synthesis, where a molecule of water is removed to form a bond between two monosaccharides. This forms a disaccharide, such as sucrose (table sugar), which is composed of one molecule of glucose and one molecule of fructose.

Further linking of monosaccharides can create larger polysaccharides, such as starch and cellulose, which serve as energy storage and structural components in plants, respectively. Overall, the building blocks of carbohydrates play a crucial role in providing energy for living organisms and maintaining the structure of cells and tissues.