Carbohydrates can be classified as monosaccharides, disaccharides, or polysaccharides based on the number of sugar units present. Monosaccharides like glucose and fructose can form cyclic structures through ring-forming reactions. Disaccharides are formed through glycosidic bond formation between the hemiacetal or hemiketal group of one monosaccharide and the hydroxyl group of another. Examples of common disaccharides include maltose, lactose, and sucrose, which differ in their specific monosaccharide components and glycosidic linkage positions and orientations.