Which of the following is an example of a carbohydrate?

Glucose is an example of a carbohydrate because it is a simple sugar, or monosaccharide, which serves as a primary source of energy for the body. Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and they are classified into three main types: sugars (like glucose and fructose), starches, and fiber.

As a monosaccharide, glucose is essential for cellular respiration, where it is broken down to release energy. It's crucial to many biological processes and is found in various foods, especially fruits and sweeteners, highlighting its importance in nutrition.

Lactose, while also a carbohydrate, is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose, and starch is a polysaccharide made of many glucose units. Fructose, too, is a monosaccharide like glucose. Each of these carbohydrates serves different roles and structures within the category of carbohydrates, but glucose stands out as a fundamental unit that is essential for energy metabolism.