Final answer:
Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides based on their structure and composition. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, while disaccharides are composed of two sugar molecules. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of many sugar molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller carbohydrates. They have a single sugar molecule and are classified based on the number of carbon atoms they contain.
Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharides are chemically linked together by a glycosidic bond. They are composed of two sugar molecules and include common examples like sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharide units. They can consist of hundreds to thousands of sugar molecules linked together. Examples of polysaccharides include starch, cellulose, and glycogen.