Question

What is the general molecular structure for a carbohydrate?

Answer 1

The general molecular structure for carbohydrates is (CH2O)n, where n starts from 3. Monosaccharides with n =3 are called trioses with general formula C3H6O3. Carbohydrates with n =4 are called tetroses and with n=5 are called pentoses. Carbohydrates with n=6 are called hexoses. They have general formula of C6H12O6. Simplest carbohydrates are called Monosaccharides with general formula C6H12O6. Examples of monosaccharides are glucose,fructose galactose. These monosaccharides unite to form complex sugars such as oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.