Advanced Placement (AP) Biology Practice Exam

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Prepare for the AP Biology Exam with engaging quizzes. Test your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, complete with detailed explanations. Elevate your exam readiness!

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What defines a monosaccharide?

It is a complex carbohydrate.
It is a simple one monomer sugar.
It consists of two bound sugars.
It is a large polymer composed of multiple sugars.

The correct answer is: It is a simple one monomer sugar.

A monosaccharide is defined as a simple one monomer sugar. These are the most basic form of carbohydrates and consist of a single sugar unit, typically containing a carbon backbone with several hydroxyl (-OH) groups and a carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone). Common examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose, which can be quickly absorbed and utilized by the body for energy. Monosaccharides serve as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates, such as disaccharides (composed of two monosaccharides) and polysaccharides (large polymers made of many monosaccharides linked together). They are vital for metabolic processes and cellular functions in living organisms. Hence, recognizing that a monosaccharide is not a complex carbohydrate, nor a combination of multiple sugars, but rather a single sugar unit, is essential in understanding carbohydrate classification in biology.