Classification of Carbohydrates 

              ⮚The Carbohydrates are generally made up of Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), and have the general molecular formula C6H12O6.                 

              ⮚Carbohydrates are generally defined as the polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or substance which on hydrolysis gives these compounds. They are most abundant in nature. Carbohydrates are rich in energy source.

Classification of Carbohydrates

               ⮚On the basis of composition carbohydrates are divided into two major groups are: Simple and Complex carbohydrates. 

            ⮚Also, the carbohydrates are broadly divided into four groups on the basis of hydrolysis they are:

                     ➤Monosaccharides

                     ➤Disaccharides

                     ➤Oligosaccharides

                     ➤Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides  

                These are the simplest form of carbohydrates which is made up of single monomer unit and cannot be further hydrolyze. All the monosaccharides are reducing sugars it acts as a reducing agent.  

            Example for monosaccharides are Glucose, Fructose, Galactose. 

Disaccharides

               On the further hydrolysis Disaccharides undergo to give two units of same or different monomer units.

             Example of Disaccharide is Sucrose which on hydrolysis gives Glucose and Fructose units. Maltose on hydrolysis gives two Glucose units. 

Oligosaccharides

               Carbohydrates on hydrolysis yield two to ten monomer units is called oligosaccharides. Example for the oligosaccharides are Raffinose and stachyose. 

Polysaccharides

                Polysaccharides are generally called as non-sugars they are not in sweet taste. These Polysaccharides on hydrolysis yield large number of monomers. The most common example of the Polysaccharides are Starch and Glycogen. They are further divided into two types are: 

                 ➤Homopolysaccharides  

                 ➤Heteropolysaccharides 

Homopolysaccharides

                  Homopolysaccharides are defined as polysaccharides whish on hydrolysis gives only one type of monomer units. Homopolysaccharides occurs in both straight and branched chain based upon the monomer’s arrangements. Example: Starch, Chitin, Cellulose, Glycogen. 

Heteropolysaccharides

               Heteropolysaccharides are defined as polysaccharides which on hydrolysis gives two or more types of monomer units. It is also occurring in both straight and chain forms. Example: Heparin. 

Biological importance of carbohydrates

                ⮚Carbohydrates are the major source of energy for man for example: Glucose is used in human body for energy production.

             ⮚Some carbohydrates serve as reserve food materials in humans and in plants. For example: Glycogen in animal tissue and Starch as in plant serves as food material. Some carbohydrates are components of cell membrane and nervous tissue. Carbohydrates involves in cell to cell interaction.

             ⮚Carbohydrates are components of several animal structure and plant structure. In animal carbohydrates are components of skin, connective tissue, tendons, Cartilages, and bones.

             ⮚In plants cellulose are component of wood and fiber. 

             ⮚Derivatives of carbohydrates are drugs for example a glycoside ouabain is used in clinical medicine.

             ⮚Streptomycin antibiotic is a glycoside amino sugar are derivatives of carbohydrates is components of antibiotics like erythromycin and carbomicine.

             ⮚Carbohydrates are the precursor for organic sources such as fatty acids and amino acids.