The generic term 'carbohydrate' includes monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides as well as substances derived from monosaccharides by reduction of the carbonyl group (alditols), by oxidation of one or more terminal groups to carboxylic acids, or by replacement of one or more hydroxy group(s) by a hydrogen atom, an amino group, a thiol group or similar heteroatomic groups. It also includes derivatives of these compounds. The term 'sugar' is frequently applied to monosaccharides and lower oligosaccharides. Cyclitols are generally not regarded as carbohydrates.