Carbohydrate Flashcards
What is a carbohydrate?
An organic molecule composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of 1:2:1.
What are the three major groups of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides.
What are monosaccharides?
The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules that cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars.
What are examples of monosaccharides?
Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose.
All have the molecular formula C6H12O6.
What are disaccharides?
Carbohydrates made up of two monosaccharide molecules linked by a glycosidic bond.
What are examples of disaccharides?
Sucrose, Lactose, and Maltose.
All have the molecular formula C12H22O11.
What are polysaccharides?
Complex carbohydrates consisting of long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds.
What are the functions of polysaccharides?
They provide structural support, store energy, and send cellular communication signals.
What is starch?
A polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose units, serving as the main storage form of energy in plants.
Where is starch found?
In potatoes, rice, wheat, and corn.
What is cellulose?
A polysaccharide made up of glucose units that provides structural support to plant cells.
Can humans digest cellulose?
No, humans cannot digest cellulose.
What is glycogen?
A highly branched polysaccharide made of glucose units, serving as the storage form of glucose in animals.
Where is glycogen stored in the body?
In the liver and muscles.
What is chitin?
A modified form of glucose that provides structural support in the exoskeletons of arthropods.
