Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates. They are simple sugars which have the general formula C_nH_2nO_n and are comprised of a chain of 3-6 carbons.

Disaccharides are combinations of two cyclic forms of the monosaccharides connected via another ether linkage. Table sugar (sucrose) is a disaccharide.

Polysaccharides are composed of many cyclic monosaccharides connected via ether linkages and include starch, cellulose, and chitin (part of insect exoskeleton).