Science, Tech, Math › Science 10 Examples of Carbohydrates Examples of Carbohydrates Share Flipboard Email Print PASIEKA / Getty Images Science Chemistry Biochemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Updated May 06, 2019 Most of the organic molecules you encounter are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are sugars and starches. They are used to provide energy and structure to organisms. Carbohydrate molecules have the formula Cm(H2O)n, where m and n are integers (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Examples of Carbohydrates glucose (monosaccharide)fructose (monosaccharide)galactose (monosaccharide)sucrose (disaccharide)lactose (disaccharide)cellulose (polysaccharide)chitin (polysaccharide)starchxylosemaltose Sources of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates in foods include all sugars (sucrose or table sugar, glucose, fructose, lactose, maltose) and starches (found in pasta, bread, grains). These carbohydrates can be digested by the body and provide an energy source for cells. There are other carbohydrates that the human body doesn't digest, including insoluble fiber and cellulose from plants and chitin from insects and other arthropods. Unlike sugars and starches, these types of carbohydrates don't contribute calories to the human diet. Learn More More About Carbohydrates Continue Reading