Carbohydrates Flashcards
What is the chemical symbol for Carbohydrate?
CHO Carbon - Hydrogen - Oxygen
What is the chemical ratio for carbohydrate?
1:2:1 Carbon - Hydrogen - Oxygen
Definition of Carbohydrate
“carbo” “hydrated” or hydrated carbon
How is glucose formed in plants?
by photosynthesis - chlorophyll combines with carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight
How does animal flesh contain carbohydrates?
because animals store carbohydrates in their muscles and muscles are usually the part of the animal that is eaten. (*Glycogen)
Carbohydrates play an important role in the functioning of what three areas within the body?
- Internal Organs
- Nervous System
- Muscles
What happens in the body when there is a low carbohydrate to high fat ratio?
Body goes into a Ketogenesis state.
What is a Ketogenesis state?
When the body responds to stress/starvation by releasing fat for fuel.
A diet high in carbohydrates and low in protein has shown to have what effect on the body?
Destabilizes blood sugar levels and raise fat (triglycerides) levels in the blood.
What are the two categories of Carbohydrates?
Simple and Complex
What is the most abundant sugar in the blood?
Glucose
What are the two classifications of Simple Sugars?
Monosaccharides (1 sugar unit)
Disaccharides (2 sugar unit)
What sugars fall under the Monosaccharides subgroup?
Glucose Fructose Galactose
What sugars fall under the Disaccharides subgroup?
Lactose Sucrose Maltose
What is the primary function of glucose in the body?
Provide cells with a source of energy (ATP)
What are sources of Fructose?
Fruits, honey and some vegetables
What is the source for Galactose?
Dairy or Mother’s milk
What are sources of Lactose?
Dairy or Mother’s milk
What are sources of sucrose?
sugar cane, sugar beets, maple syrup, molasses and pineapple
How is maltose formed?
during starch digestion
What are the two subgroups of Complex Carbohydrates?
Oligosaccharides (3-10 sugar units)
Polysaccharides (greater than 10 sugar units)
What sugars fall under the subcategory of Polysaccharides
Glycogen
Starch
Dietary Fibre
Why is Oligosaccharides beneficial our gut microbiome?
This type of carbohydrate passes undigested into the large intestine where bacteria breaks them down. ~ food for the bacteria/microbiome
T or F. Oligosaccharides do not enhance the growth of lactic-acid bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
False
What foods contain oligosaccharides to help feed your gut micro biome?
Onions, asparagus, garlic, chives, rye, Jerusalem artichoke and banana
What is the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates are easily absorbed in the small intestines while the complex carbohydrates need water and enzymes to help with digestion.
T or F. The body stores glucose as Glycogen.
True
Where is the majority of Glycogen stored in the body?
Liver and skeletal muscles
T or F. When the body is running low on glucose (fasting or prolonged exercise) it turns to glycogen for more glucose?
True
T or F. When liver glycogen is broken down it doesn’t release directly into the blood?
False
T or F. When glucose is released from Muscle Glycogen it is used to fuel physical activity. It does not release directly into the bloodstream.
True
Name the two types of fibre.
Soluble and Insoluble
Definition of Soluble Fibre
Fibre that dissolves or swells in water. It is transformed into a gel-like substance which is digested by bacteria in the large intestine.
Definition of Insoluble Fibre
Fibre that does not dissolve in water and remains more or less unchanged as it moves through the digestive tract.
T or F. Fibre can be broken down by the human digestive enzymes.
False
What organ is the principal regulator of carbohydrate metabolism?
The Liver
What is the name of the process in which plants combine carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight to make glucose.
Photosynthesis
Which organ regulates the hormone insulin?
Pancrease
Plants store glucose in the form of _________, whereas animals store glucose in the form of ________.
a) dietary fiber; amylose
b) starch; maltose
c) glycogen; amylopectin
d) starch; glycogen
d) starch; glycogen
Enzymes needed for disaccharide digestion are made by the
a) pancreas
b) stomach
c) salivary glands
d) small intestine
d) small intestine
The RDA for carbohydrates (130g/day) is based on the amount of glucose needed by the
a) liver
b) kidneys
c) skeletal muscles
d) brain
d) brain
Blood glucose regulations depends on the release of _________ from the __________ in response to elevated blood glucose.
insulin: pancrease
T or F. When blood glucose levels remain elevated over time, the insulin receptors are unable to respond to insulin and glucose accumulates in the blood.
True
Insulin resistance is a result of which chronic illness?
Type 2 Diabetes
T or F. Hyperglycemia refers to low levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood.
False
What % of the body is made up of Carbohydrates?
2%
Carbohydrates supplies _____ calories per gram.
4
Describe fiber.
Fiber is a polysaccharide (complex carb) found in plants that is not digested or absorbed in the human small intestine.
What are the 4 benefits of soluble fibre?
- Softens fecal matter
- Reduces blood cholesterol (binds with fat and cholesterol in GI making it less likely to be absorbed)
- Feel fuller longer due to delayed gastric emptying
- Prebiotic - feeds the friendly bacteria in colon.
List 4 foods that contain starch.
- Grains
- Legumes
- Potatoes
- Winter squashes
How do plants store glucose?
They convert glucose into starch.
What are the 2 types of starches?
Amylose and Amylopectin
How does the body store glucose?
The body stores small amounts of glucose in the form of Glycogen.
During a fast or prolonged exercise, where does the body turn to for glucose?
The glycogen stored in the liver and skeletal muscles.
What is dietary fibre?
It’s a complex carbohydrate naturally occuring in plants.
What is functional fibre?
It’s what’s added to food to provide beneficial physiological effects like bowel movement.
