Biochemistry - Carbohydrates Flashcards
Name the elements found in a carbohydrate molecule
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen
What type of carbohydrate is Glucose? What is it’s formula
Hexose, C6H12O6
How many carbon atoms are contained within a Triose sugar
3
Name and define the two isomers of Glucose
Alpha, and beta.
On Carbon 1, the position of the OH and H alters the isomeric structure of the two.
Define the term “Disaccharide”
A carbohydrate consisting of two monosaccharides joined by 1,4-glycosidic bonds
What is meant by “1,4” in the term 1,4-glycosidic bond?
The bond is between Carbon 1 and Carbon 4 on the two monosaccharides
What type of carbohydrate is Ribose?
Pentose monosaccharide
What is the reaction called when two monosaccharides are joined together to form a disaccharide?
Condensation
In a reaction between two Glucose molecules. Name the resulting products
Water, and maltose
Name the two components (monomers) of Sucrose
Glucose and fructose
As well as Glucose, name the monosaccharide found in Lactose
Galactose
Name the reaction that breaks a disaccharide into two monosaccharide molecules
Hydrolysis
Name the reagent used to test for sugar
Benedicts Reagent
What colour is Benedicts Reagent before a test?
Blue
Name a type of sugar that will produce a negative result in a benedicts test
Non-reducing sugar (sucrose)
Define the term “reducing sugar”
A sugar that will react with the Cu2+ ions in Benedicts to produce a positive (brick red) solution
Describe the reaction that allows Sucrose to become a reducing sugar
Add HCl and heat
Define the term “Polysaccharide”
A complex carbohydrate containing multiple monosaccharide components
Name a storage polysaccharide used in plants and identify 2 advantages of its use
Starch
- has no osmotic effect on a cell
- cannot diffuse out of a cell
- is compact and can be stored in small places
- carries a lot of energy in C-H and C-C bonds
Explain how Amylose differs in stucture to Amylopectin
Amylose is a linear molecule containing only 1,4-glycosidic bonds between alpha Glucose molecules
Amylopectin is a branched molecule with the addition of 1,6 - glycosidic bonds.
Explain where cellulose is naturally found, and why it is useful
Plant cell walls. It has a strong structure consisting of beta-Glucose molecules, rotated at 180°. Microfibrils form when 60-70 cellulose molecules tightly link. Fibres are formed from multiple microfibrils, increasing the strength of the structure
Why is chitin different to other carbohydrate molecules?
Contains a nitrogen group
Name the nitrogen group found in Chitin?
Acetylamine group
