What is the simplest form of carbohydrate?

The simplest form of carbohydrate is glucose. Glucose is a monosaccharide, meaning it is a single sugar molecule and serves as a primary energy source for cells in living organisms. In contrast, sugar can refer to various types of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides like glucose and disaccharides, which consist of two sugar molecules bonded together. While both sugar and glucose are considered carbohydrates, glucose specifically represents the most basic unit.

Starch is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose molecules, and fiber is another form of carbohydrate that consists of various types of polysaccharides that the body cannot digest. Thus, they are more complex compared to glucose. Therefore, glucose stands out as the simplest carbohydrate since it is a single molecule rather than a compound of larger structures.