Carbohydrate structure and reactions Flashcards
What are 10 functions of carbohydrates?
Energy storage Energy source Structure Components of nucleotides Protection Lubrication Communication Information storage Mediation of cell adhesion and signalling Protein localization and activity
What is the general formula of a carbohydrate? What is n?
(CH2O)n. n is between 3 and 7
What functional group does every carbon in a sugar have?
Either a carbonyl or a hydroxyl
What is an aldehyde sugar called?
Aldose
What is a ketone sugar called?
Ketose
What are the 3 class sizes of sugars?
Monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides
What type of bond links sugars together?
Glycosidic bonds
Are monosaccharides water soluble?
Yes, usually
Are oligosaccharides water soluble?
Yes, usually
Are polysaccharides water soluble?
Not usually
What is a homopolysaccharide?
Polymer of only one sugar type
What is a heteropolysaccharide?
Polymer of multiple types of sugars
What are glyconjugates?
Sugars that are attached to other stuff, namely lipids and proteins
What is the most common number of carbons in a monosaccharide?
6
What is the smallest chiral sugar?
Glyceraldehyde
What carbon does numbering start at in a sugar ring?
The one closest to the carbonyl
How big do sugars need to be to cyclize in solution?
At least 4 carbons
How many stereoisomers are there with multiple chiral centres?
For n chiral centres, there’s 2^n stereoisomers
What determines if a sugar is D or L?
The configuration at the carbon farthest from the carbonyl compared to glyceraldehyde. The D isomer has the hydroxyl on that carbon pointing right
Are most naturally occurring sugars L or D?
D