Glucose is classified as what type of carbohydrate?

Glucose is classified as a monosaccharide because it is the simplest form of carbohydrate and consists of a single sugar molecule. Monosaccharides are the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates and are characterized by their basic chemical structure, which typically includes a carbon backbone with hydroxyl groups and a carbonyl group.

In the case of glucose, it has six carbon atoms and fits the molecular formula C6H12O6. This structure allows it to participate in various metabolic processes, serving as a crucial energy source for both cells and organisms. Monosaccharides can be linked together to form larger carbohydrates such as disaccharides and polysaccharides, but glucose itself remains a single, indivisible sugar. Understanding this classification helps grasp the fundamental concepts of carbohydrate metabolism and how sugars function within biological systems.