The characteristic chemical features of carbohydrates (1)the existence of at least one and often two or more asymmetric centers, (2)the ability to exist either in linear or ring structures, (3)the capacity to form polymeric structures via glycosidic bonds,and (4)the potential to form multiple hydrogen bonds with water or other molecules in their environment The characteristic chemical features of carbohydrates (1) the existence of at least one and often two or more asymmetric centers, (2) the ability to exist either in linear or ring structures, (3) the capacity to form polymeric structures via glycosidic bonds, and (4) the potential to form multiple hydrogen bonds with water or other molecules in their environment