Classification and chemical properties of carbohydrates
Answers
Classification of Carbohydrates
The main classification of carbohydrate is done on the basis of hydrolysis. This classification is as follow:
Monosaccharides: These are the simplest form of carbohydrate that cannot be hydrolyzed any further. They have the general formula of (CH2O)n. Some common examples are glucose, Ribose etc.
Oligosaccharides: Carbohydrates that on hydrolysis yield two to ten smaller units or monosaccharides are oligosaccharides. They are a large category and further divides into various subcategories.
Disaccharides: A further classification of oligosaccharides, these give two units of the same or different monosaccharides on hydrolysis. For example, sucrose on hydrolysis gives one molecule of glucose and fructose each. Whereas maltose on hydrolysis gives two molecules of only glucose,
Trisaccharides: Carbohydrates that on hydrolysis gives three molecules of monosaccharides, whether same or different. An example is Raffinose.
Tetrasaccharides: And as the name suggests this carbohydrate on hydrolysis give four molecules of monosaccharides. Stachyose is an example.
Polysaccharides: The final category of carbohydrates. These give a large number of monosaccharides when they undergo hydrolysis, These carbohydrates are not sweet in taste and are also known as non-sugars. Some common examples are starch, glycogen etc.