Classification of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are vital biomolecules primarily produced by plants, encompassing a broad range of organic compounds that are key for sustaining life. Most carbohydrates conform to the general formula Cx(H2O)y, indicative of their carbon-based structure. This section classifies carbohydrates into three main categories based on their hydrolysis behavior:
-
Monosaccharides: These are the simplest carbohydrates that cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller units. Common examples include glucose, fructose, and ribose. They can be further categorized depending on the number of carbon atoms they contain — such as trioses (3 carbons) or hexoses (6 carbons).
-
Oligosaccharides: These carbohydrates yield 2 to 10 monosaccharide units upon hydrolysis. Among them, disaccharides are prevalent, including sucrose and maltose. Oligosaccharides can consist of identical or different monosaccharide units and are linked through glycosidic bonds.
-
Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides consist of long chains of monosaccharide units and are classified as non-sugars due to their lack of sweetness. Notable examples include starch, cellulose, and glycogen, which serves as energy storage in plants and animals.
Furthermore, carbohydrates can be classified as reducing or non-reducing sugars based on their chemical behavior, specifically in the context of Fehling's solution and Tollens' reagent tests. This classification is crucial for understanding the biochemical roles these compounds play in organisms, from energy provision to structural functions.