ABSTRACT
The ter m carbohydrate wa s coine d i n th e midnineteent h centur y by K a r l Schmid t
of Dorpa t University . H e determine d tha t carbohydrate s (usin g moder n atomi c
weights) ha d the genera l formula ( C 6 H 1 0 O 5 ) n . Toda y it is k n o wn tha t the composi -
tion o f thes e constituent s o f l ivin g matte r ca n b e represente d b y ( C H 2 0 ) n , tha t
they ma y contai n element s othe r tha n C , H, and O (e.g. , N , S , an d P) , that the y
contain eithe r fre e o r substitute d vicina l - O H residues , an d tha t the y hav e
reducing carbony l group s tha t ma y b e fre e o r presen t i n nonreducin g for m i n
glycoside linkages.
