Question

What are examples of monosaccharides and polysaccharides?

Answer 1

Hint: Monosaccharides have a number of isomeric forms as each hydroxyl supporting carbon atom is chiral. Polysaccharides consist of more than ten monosaccharide units.

Complete answer:
Monosaccharides are the most basic units of carbohydrates. They are also called simple sugars. The general formula of monosaccharides is: ${C}_{n}{H}_{2n}{O}_{n}$. Monosaccharides are generally colorless, crystalline and water-soluble solids. Monosaccharides are sugars but only a few monosaccharides taste sweet.
A few examples of monosaccharides include:
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Galactose
Monosaccharides being the most basic units are the building blocks for disaccharides and polysaccharides. Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of two monosaccharides, Glucose and Fructose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide made up of thousands of linkages of glucose.
Monosaccharides are a key element in metabolic reactions like glycolysis and citric acid cycle. Some monosaccharides can be converted into glucose as a source of energy.
Polysaccharides are long chained carbohydrates made up of monosaccharide units and are bound with glycosidic bonds. Polysaccharides are the most abundant carbohydrate found in food. They can undergo hydrolysis with the help of an amylase catalyst. Polysaccharide structures are linear or highly branched.
A few examples of polysaccharides are:
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
- Chitin
Polysaccharides are mostly heterogenous and consist of repeating units. Polysaccharides have contrasting properties with respect to their monosaccharide building blocks. Polysaccharides can be amorphous and they are generally insoluble in water.

Note:
Monosaccharides produce and store energy in the body. Glucose can be broken down to create energy which is harvested by organisms for sustenance. Long monosaccharides are used to form cellular structures.
Polysaccharides are also used for the storage of energy. Polysaccharides are used to support cell growth.