University:
Liberty University
Course:
BIOM 500 | Introduction to Biomedical Sciences
Academic year:

2024
Views:

454

Pages:

9
Author:

Sheha A.

Classification of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are classified into 4 classes based on the number of monosaccharide units. Monosaccharides: Simplest form of carbohydrates. Cannot be hydrolyzed to smaller carbohydrates. The empirical formula of monosaccharides is (CH2O)n. Disaccharides: Made up of 2 monosaccharide units. Examples: Sucrose, lactose, maltose. Oligosaccharides: Made up of 3 to 10 monosaccharide units. Polysaccharides: Made up of more than 10 monosaccharide units. Examples: Starch, cellulose, glycogen. Carbohydrates (CH₂O)n (a) Based on the functional group (aldehydic or ketonic) present: Aldoses: Monosaccharides containing an aldehyde group (CHO) are called aldoses. Examples: Glucose, Galactose, Ribose Ketoses: Monosaccharides containing a ketone group (C=O) are called ketoses. Examples: Fructose, Ribulose, Xylulose (b) Based on the number of carbon atoms present: Trioses (3 carbons): Examples: Dihydroxyacetone, Glyceraldehyde Tetroses (4 carbons): Examples: Erythrose, Threose Pentoses (5 carbons): Examples: Ribose, Ribulose, Xylose Hexoses (6 carbons): Examples: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose, Mannose Heptoses (7 carbons): Examples: Sedoheptulose, Mannoheptulose