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.