Question

What are carbohydrates? How are they classified?

Hint:

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, and polysaccharides serve as energy storage in plants and animals.

Answer 1

Step 1: Define Carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, generally with a hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio of 2:1, as in water. They are a major source of energy for living organisms.
Step 2: Classification of Carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates are classified into three main categories based on their structure: 1. Monosaccharides: Simple sugars that cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars. Examples: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose. 2. Disaccharides: Formed by the combination of two monosaccharides by a glycosidic bond. Examples: Sucrose (Glucose + Fructose), Lactose (Glucose + Galactose). 3. Polysaccharides: Large, complex carbohydrates composed of many monosaccharide units. Examples: Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen.
Step 3: Explanation.
- Monosaccharides are the building blocks of more complex carbohydrates. - Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharides undergo a condensation reaction. - Polysaccharides are formed by the polymerization of many monosaccharide units and serve as energy storage or structural components.
Final Answer: Carbohydrates are organic compounds classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides based on the number of sugar units present.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides based on their structure.}} \]