Carbohydrates Flashcards
What is a disaccharide?
A disaccharide is a double sugar that is formed when two monosaccharides are joined by glycosidic linkage. Link monosaccharides, disaccharide are soluble in water. When we eat carbohydrates that contain disaccharides, our bodies break them down into monosaccharides for absorption in the small intestine.
What is a polysaccharide?
A polysaccharide is a long chain of carbohydrate molecules, composed of several smaller monosaccharides, linked together by dehydration synthesis. The chains may function as storage molecules or as structural compounds.
What is a monosaccharide?
A monosaccharide is the simplest form of sugar and the most basic unit (monomers) from which carbohydrates are built.
What are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides classified as?
Monosaccharides are monomers. Examples: fruits, vegetables, and honey
Disaccharide are dimers. Examples: sugars and milk
Polysaccharides are polymers. Examples: rice, potatoes, corn, and wheat.
What is glycogen?
Glycogen is a branched glucose polymer (polysaccharide) that is the stormed form of glucose that’s made up of many connected glucose molecules. Animals use is as an energy reserve. Glycogen is stored in the liver and released as needed.
What is starch?
Starch is a complex, branched glucose polymer (polysaccharide). Starch is produced, stores, and used as an energy reserve by plants. It is a polysaccharide that consist of numerous glucose units that are joined by glycosidic bonds.
What is a carbohydrate? What are elements make up carbohydrates? What is their structure?
Carbohydrates are molecules that are made of sugar. Carbohydrates are made of elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The hydrogen to oxygen ratio is 2 to 1. Carbohydrates may form long chains that are either straight or branched. Carbohydrates are a hydrate of carbon.
What is a glycosidic bond?
A glycosidic bond is a chemical (covalent) bond that connects a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group (may be another carbohydrate). The sugar group is referred to as a glycone while the non-sugar group is referred to as an aglycone.
What is unique about fibre?
Fibre is an indigestible carbohydrate. Humans lack the enzymes capable of hydrolyzing (breaking down) the bond between the polymer of fibre. Fibre is a large molecule that is transported throughout our bodies and aids our digestive health and some types of fibre are fermented in our colons.
What is cellulose?
Cellulose is a water insoluble polysaccharide made up of thousands of glucose molecules. It is present in the cell wall of a plant cell. It helps the cell maintains the shape of a plant
What are specific examples of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides?
Monosaccharides: glucose and fructose
Disaccharides: sucrose, lactose, and maltose
Polysaccharides: starch, cellulose, and glycogen
