How would you classify a carbohydrate containing 5 saccharide units?

A carbohydrate containing 5 saccharide units is classified as an oligosaccharide. Oligosaccharides typically consist of 2 to 10 monosaccharide units linked together. In this case, with 5 units, it fits precisely into the oligosaccharide category.

Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates comprising single sugar units, such as glucose or fructose. Disaccharides consist of two monosaccharide units, such as sucrose (glucose + fructose) or lactose (glucose + galactose). Polysaccharides, on the other hand, are larger carbohydrates composed of more than 10 monosaccharide units, like starch or cellulose. Recognizing these classifications helps in understanding the structure and function of carbohydrates in biological systems.