Carbohydrates are widely distributed in plants and animals. They function primarily as a fuel in the body by liberating energy through oxidation. Certain carbohydrate products also promote further oxidation of foods and can be used as starting materials for other biological compounds. Chemically, carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in proportions similar to water, with glucose having the formula C6H12O6. Carbohydrates can be classified based on the number of carbon atoms in their molecular structure, ranging from di- to heptoses.

1. CARBOHYDRATES
Asiyabi .M
Assistant professor
Department of pharmacology

2. DEFINITION
Carbohydrates include a large group of
compounds commonly knowns as starches or
sugar,widely distributed in plants and animals.
 In general carbohydrates are white solids,freely
soluble in water with the exception of certain
polysaccharides. lower molecular weight have a
sweet taste.

3. Biological significance:
 The chief function of carbohydrates in the body is
that of a fuel. When carbohydrates are oxidised in
the body they liberates carbon dioxide,water and
energy. They supply the major portion of energy
required by living cells.
 Certain products of carbohydrates metabolis as
will be seen later act as catalyst to promote
oxidation of foodstuffs.
 Certain carbohydrates can be used as the starting
material for the biological synthesis of compounds
such as amino acids and fatty acids.

4. Chemical characteristics:
 Carbohydrates contain
carbon,hydrogen,and oxygen. Generally the
composition of carbohydrates is in the
proportion of two of hydrogen and one of
oxygen atoms as in water.
 Glucose that is a simple carbohydrates has
a molecular formula of C6H12O6

5. SOURCE OF CARBOHYDRATES

6. CLASSIFICATION OF CARBOHYDRATES

11. Diose: It has two carbon atoms. Molecular
formula C2H4O2.
Example: Glyceraldehyde.
 Triose: It has three carbon atoms.
Molecular formula C3H6O3.
Example: Glyceraldehyde,Dihydroxyacetone.
 Tetrose: It has four carbon atoms. Molcular
formula C4H8O4.
Example: Erythrose,Therose,Erythrulose.

12.  Pentose: It has five carbon atoms.
Molecular formula C5H10O5.
Example: Ribose,xylose
 Hexose : It has six carbon atoms.
Molecular Formula C6H1206.
Example: Glucose,Fructose,Galactose.
Heptose : It has seven carbon atoms.
Molecular C7H14O7.
Example: Glucoheptose,sedoheptulose.