What defines a monosaccharide, and can you provide examples of common monosaccharides found in nature?

A monosaccharide is the simplest form of a carbohydrate, consisting of a single sugar unit. It has the general formula (CH₂O)n, where “n” can range from 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Monosaccharides are classified based on the number of carbon atoms and the functional groups present. Common examples include glucose (6 carbon atoms), fructose (6 carbon atoms), and galactose (6 carbon atoms). Other examples are ribose and deoxyribose, each with 5 carbon atoms, and erythrose and threose, each with 4 carbon atoms. Monosaccharides serve as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates in biological systems.