Final answer:
Almost all dietary carbohydrates are converted to the monosaccharide glucose, which is then circulated in the blood to be used immediately or stored for future energy needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which sugar nearly all dietary carbohydrates are converted to and which circulates in the blood. The answer is glucose, a monosaccharide and the most abundant sugar in nature.
When we consume carbohydrates, they are typically broken down into glucose through a series of biochemical reactions that supply energy to our cells. This process allows glucose to be used immediately for energy or stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
In the blood, glucose level is maintained between 70 to 105 mg/dL under normal conditions. The term blood sugar is often used to refer to glucose in the circulatory system.
Moreover, during digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars that can be absorbed and used for energy production, like in glycolysis where glucose is oxidized to produce ATP.