Question

Write the major classes in which the carbohydrates are divided depending upon whether thee undergo hydrolysis and if so, the number of products formed.

Answer 1

On the basis of hydrolysis, carbohydrates are divided into three major classes: 

1. Monosaccharides These cannot be hydrolysed into simpler molecules. These are further classified as aldoses, and ketoses. 

2. Oligosaccharides These carbohydrates on hydrolysis give 2-10 units of mono-saccharides. 

For example – Sucrose. 

3. Polysaccharides These are high molecular mass carbohydrates which give many molecules of monosaccharides on hydrolysis.

Form example: Cellulose, starch.