Summary
Carbohydrates are a diverse group of biomolecules that include simple sugars (monosaccharides), their derivatives, and complex carbohydrates such as disaccharides and polysaccharides. Their classification into aldoses and ketoses, and further into D and L configurations, is critical for understanding their stereochemical properties, which are often depicted using Fischer projections. The formation of cyclic hemiacetals gives rise to anomers, whose interconversion (mutarotation) is an important phenomenon. Additionally, carbohydrates undergo a range of chemical reactions including esterification, reduction, oxidation, glycoside formation, and various chain modification reactions that are foundational in both biochemical pathways and industrial applications. Their roles extend from energy storage to serving as crucial biomarkers in cell recognition, exemplified in the action of influenza viruses.