What are the three main groups of carbohydrates?

The classification of carbohydrates into three main groups is based on their chemical structure and complexity. Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules like glucose and fructose. Disaccharides are formed by the combination of two monosaccharides, such as sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (found in milk). Lastly, polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharide units, including starch and glycogen.

This classification is foundational in understanding how carbohydrates function within the body, their sources, and their metabolic roles. The other options, while related to carbohydrates, do not accurately represent the primary classification:

• Trisaccharides, included in the first option, are less common and are a type of oligosaccharide, which is not one of the main groups.

• The third option lists specific examples of carbohydrates rather than broader categories.

• The final option divides carbohydrates based on their dietary effect rather than their chemical structure, which isn't the main classification used in scientific contexts.

Thus, the correct answer encapsulates the essential types of carbohydrates as recognized in nutrition and biochemistry.