The general formula for a monosaccharide is (CH2O)n. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrate, which means they cannot be hydrolyzed or broken down into smaller carbohydrates.

Monosaccharides are small molecule carbohydrates that contain only a single six-membered ring of carbon and oxygen, but often exist in equilibrium with a five-membered ring and straight chain form ...