Final answer:
A monosaccharide with the formula C5H10O5 is characterized as a pentose, which is a class of simple sugars containing five carbon atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A monosaccharide that has the chemical formula C5H10O5 would be characterized as a pentose. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of sugars and they can vary in the number of carbon atoms they contain, typically ranging from three to six. These simple sugars are categorized based on the number of carbon atoms: trioses have three, pentoses have five, and hexoses have six carbon atoms.
In the case of the molecular formula C5H10O5, the monosaccharide contains five carbon atoms, which places it in the pentose class. Pentose sugars are vital in the body, with notable examples being ribose and deoxyribose, which are part of the structure of RNA and DNA, respectively.
While the question does not specify the functional group present in the molecule, the presence of five carbon atoms is sufficient to identify it as a pentose.