Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a ratio of 1:2:1. They are classified into several types based on their structure and complexity:
1. Monosaccharides: These are the simplest forms of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
2. Disaccharides: Composed of two monosaccharide units that are joined by a glycosidic bond. Common disaccharides include sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose), and maltose (glucose + glucose).
3. Oligosaccharides: Contain a small number of monosaccharide units (usually 3-9). Examples include raffinose and stachyose.
4. Polysaccharides: Composed of long chains of monosaccharide units joined by glycosidic bonds. These can be categorized into two types:
a. Homopolysaccharides: Consist of only one type of monosaccharide unit. Examples include starch and glycogen (composed of glucose units).
b. Heteropolysaccharides: Contain two or more different types of monosaccharide units. Examples include chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.
Carbohydrates play crucial roles as energy sources and structural components in living organisms.
What types of compounds are carbohydrates?
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