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A monosaccharide is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It cannot be broken down into simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Common examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is a primary source of energy for living organisms. Fructose, found in fruits and honey, is often referred to as fruit sugar. Galactose is a component of lactose, the sugar found in milk. Monosaccharides have the general formula (CH2O)n, where n is typically between 3 and 7. They are characterized by a carbonyl group (either an aldehyde or a ketone) and multiple hydroxyl groups. Sugars with an aldehyde group are called aldoses, while those with a ketone group are called ketoses. Monosaccharides are sweet-tasting and soluble in water. They are the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates like disaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose) and polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose). These larger carbohydrates are formed through glycosidic bonds linking individual monosaccharide units.