These contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 1:2:1. The basic formula of carbohydrate is ( CH2O)n.
Carbohydrate are known as saccharides means sugar. Carbohydrates are classified into 3 main categories
- Mono saccharides
- Oligo saccharides
- Poly saccharides
Mono Saccharides:
- It is colorless, crystal, sweet in taste and soluble in water
- These are simplest sugar having unbranched straight carbon chain
Oligo Saccharides:
- It is compound sugar made up of mono saccharides units binds together by co-valet bond
- It is colorless crystal, sweet in taste and soluble in water.
Poly Saccharides:
- These contain large number of mono saccharides to form branched or unbranched chain
- These are tasteless and not soluble in water.