The structure and function of carbohydrates.

... The structure and function of carbohydrates Carbohydrates are named for their characteristic content of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CH2O). Carbohydrate molecules are categorized by the number of carbons present in the molecule. Short chains containing from three to seven carbons form the monosaccharides, which are the most basic sugars. Monosaccharides with five or more carbons can form a ring as well as a linear configuration. The rings form through a reaction between two functional groups in the same molecule. Each carbon atom in the chain, except one, carries an -OH group. The remaining carbon carries a -C=O (carbonyl) group. In monosaccharides hydrogen atoms occupy all other available binding sites of carbon. Glucose, the most common monosaccharide has six carbons per molecule, which is called a hexose. Carbohydrates also have 2:1 hydrogen to oxygen ratio. This aids in the condensation and hydrolysis reactions. A condensation reaction occurs when two monosaccharides join

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