Which of the following is a monosaccharide?

The correct response is glucose, which is classified as a monosaccharide due to its simple structure and basic unit of carbohydrate. Monosaccharides are the most basic form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules that cannot be hydrolyzed further into smaller units. Glucose has a chemical formula of C6H12O6 and serves as a primary energy source for cells in the body.

In contrast, sucrose is a disaccharide made up of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule. Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar, is also a disaccharide, consisting of glucose and galactose. Maltose, often referred to as malt sugar, is another disaccharide composed of two glucose units. These compounds require enzymatic breakdown into monosaccharides for the body to utilize them for energy, which underscores the unique role that glucose plays as a fundamental building block in carbohydrate metabolism.