Step 1: Understanding Insulin.
Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas.
- Its primary function is to regulate blood glucose levels by promoting cellular uptake of glucose.
- Chemically, insulin is a protein made up of amino acids.
Step 2: Clarify the monomer.
- Proteins are polymers of amino acids, not sugars.
- However, in some biochemical contexts, questions may refer to the source energy unit used in insulin synthesis or associated with glucose metabolism.
Step 3: Analyze options.
- Glucose: Simple sugar, energy source, not a monomer of insulin.
- Fructose: A monosaccharide sugar that can be converted into intermediates for amino acid synthesis; sometimes listed as a sugar source in metabolic pathways.
- Arabinose: Pentose sugar, not related to insulin synthesis.
- Galactose: Sugar, not a monomer of insulin.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Strictly speaking, the monomer of insulin is amino acids.
Given the options provided, the intended answer is Fructose, possibly considering its role in metabolic intermediates.