Most of the carbohydrates are the constituent of food and are the main source of energy. On the basis of chemical composition, they are of three types-
(A) Monosaccharides
They are simplest carbohydrates which are soluble in water and sweet in taste. They consists of 3 to 7 carbon atoms.
(B) Disaccharides
They are soluble in water and sweet in taste. They consist of two monosaccharides linked by a glycosidic bond. It forms one molecule of water.
(C) Polysaccharides
They are insoluble in water and tasteless. They are formed by polymerization of monosaccharide units and their general formula is (C6H10O5)n. Starch in plants and Glycogen in animals are two common polysaccharides & they are formed by the polymerization of glucose. Insulin and some others are formed by the polymerization of fructose.
