Carbohydrates are classified into three main groups based on their chemical structure and complexity: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose and fructose. Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharide units linked together, such as sucrose and lactose. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates consisting of long chains of monosaccharide units, examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. These classifications are essential for understanding carbohydrate digestion and metabolism.
Reference:
Biochemistry by Berg, Tymoczko, and Stryer
Essentials of Human Nutrition by Jim Mann and Stewart Truswell