Monosaccharides are carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolysed further to give simpler units of polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone. Monosaccharides are classified on the bases of number of carbon atoms and the functional group present in them. Monosaccharides containing an aldehyde group are known as aldoses and those containing a keto group are known as ketoses. Monosaccharides are further classified as trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses, and heptoses according to the number of carbon atoms they contain. For example, a ketose containing 3 carbon atoms is called ketotriose and an aldose containing 3 carbon atoms is called aldotriose.
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are sugar molecules. Along with proteins and fats, carbohydrates are one of three main nutrients found in foods and drinks.
Your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Glucose, or blood sugar, is the main source of energy for your body's cells, tissues, and organs. Glucose can be used immediately or stored in the liver and muscles for later use.
Carbohydrates are divided into two categories: simple and complex, based on their chemical structure and degree of polymerization.
One or two sugar molecules make up simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates cause blood sugar levels to rise because molecules are easily digested and converted. Milk products, alcohol, vegetables, processed sugars, candies, and other foods contain a lot of them. These carbohydrates are referred to as "empty calories" because they lack fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
Starchy foods contain two or more sugar molecules and are thus referred to as complex carbohydrates. In comparison to simple carbohydrates, molecules in complex carbohydrates are digested and converted slowly. They are found in large quantities in potatoes, corn, cereals, lentils, peanuts, beans, whole-grain bread, peas, etc.