* Mono-: This prefix means "one" and indicates a single sugar unit, also known as a monosaccharide. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
* Di-: This prefix means "two" and indicates a molecule consisting of two sugar units linked together, known as a disaccharide. Examples include sucrose (table sugar), lactose (milk sugar), and maltose.
* Oligo-: This prefix means "few" and indicates a molecule with a short chain of 3 to 10 sugar units, known as an oligosaccharide. These are often found as components of complex molecules like glycoproteins and glycolipids.
* Poly-: This prefix means "many" and indicates a molecule with a long chain of more than 10 sugar units, known as a polysaccharide. Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
Here's a simple table summarizing the prefixes:
| Prefix | Meaning | Number of Sugar Units | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono- | One | 1 | Glucose |
| Di- | Two | 2 | Sucrose |
| Oligo- | Few | 3-10 | Raffinose |
| Poly- | Many | >10 | Starch |
Understanding these prefixes allows you to quickly grasp the complexity of a saccharide molecule simply by looking at its name.