What is an example of a simple carbohydrate?

Glucose is categorized as a simple carbohydrate because it consists of a single sugar molecule, specifically a monosaccharide. Simple carbohydrates are characterized by their immediate availability for energy as they require little to no digestion before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

Glucose is often referred to as blood sugar and is a primary energy source for the body’s cells. Its structure allows for quick entry into metabolic pathways, making it an essential component of energy metabolism. This rapid absorption contrasts with complex carbohydrates, such as starch, which consist of multiple sugar units and take longer for the body to break down into usable glucose.

Fructose, although also a simple sugar and similar in structure, is a monosaccharide like glucose, making it also a valid example of a simple carbohydrate. However, if focusing only on the chosen answer, glucose represents the most foundational simple carbohydrate needed for energy production. Cellulose, on the other hand, is a complex carbohydrate and does not fit the criteria for a simple carbohydrate.