Answer. Monosaccharides are the simplest sugars which cannot be hydrolyzed. They consist of 3 to 9 carbon atoms. Therefore, they are classified according to the number of carbon atoms in their molecules as triodes, tetroses, pentose’s, hexoses, and so on. The important monosaccharide’s are hexoses like glucose and fructose etc. Glucose is a pentahydroxy aldehyde while fructose is pentahydroxy ketone having the general formula
Monosaccharide’s are white crystalline solids. They are soluble in water and have sweet taste. They cannot be hydrolyzed. They are reducing in nature, therefore, these are called reducing sugars.