Carbohydrates Flashcards
A single sugar unit is known as a…
Monosaccharide (a monomer of sugar)
What is the chemical composition of a carbohydrate?
Carbon, oxygen, & hydrogen
When two or more monosaccharides are linked they form…
A polymer called a polysaccharide.
Glucose is a monosaccharide composed of six carbons and is therefore a…
Hexose monosaccharide
Name the two structural variation of the glucose molecule
Alpha (α) glucose
Beta (β) glucose
Draw what the alpha glucose molecule looks like
Alpha (α) glucose
Draw what the beta glucose molecule looks like
Beta (β) glucose
How does alpha glucose differ from beta glucose?
The hydroxyl group (OH) on carbon 1 is in opposite positions
This affects the structure and properties of the polysaccharides when it bonds
How is a disaccharide formed? From what? What is released as well?
HINT: Two Hands Bond and Release
Two Hands Bond and Release
T - Two Monosaccharides (join together in the reaction)
H - Hydroxyl Groups (the OH groups from each monosaccharide interact)
B - Bond Formation (a new glycosidic bond forms between the monosaccharides)
R - Release Water (water is released as a byproduct)
From what is the disaccharide lactose made of?
Glucose + galactose = Lactose
From what is the disaccharide maltose made of?
Glucose + glucose = Maltose
From what is the disaccharide sucrose made of?
Glucose + fructose = Sucrose
What is a pentose sugar?
Sugars that contain five carbon atoms
Which two pentose sugars are important components of biological molecules?
Ribose (sugar found in RNA) and Deoxyribose (sugar found in DNA)
What does ribose look like?
Ribose
What is the structure of starch?
Made of amylose (mainly, 1-4 glycosidic bonds) and amylopectin (1-4 and some 1-6 glycosidic bonds)
What are the properties of starch?
HINT: Curvy Cheerleader Easily Interact
C - Compact (starch molecules are packed tightly for efficient storage)
C - Chemical Energy Store (starch stores chemical energy for the plant)
E - Easily Digestible (starch can be broken down quickly for energy)
I - Insoluble (doesn’t dissolve in water, so it avoids creating a water potential gradient that could cause cells to swell from osmosis)
Describe the structure of amylose.
HINT: Alpha Glue Helps Hold
Alpha Glue Helps Hold
A - Alpha glucose (long chains of alpha glucose)
G - Glycosidic Bonds (1-4 glycosidic bonds join glucose molecules)
H - Helix (the chain twists into a helix shape, making it compact for storage)
H - Hydrogen Bonds (the helix shape is stabilized by hydrogen bonds)
What are the properties of amylose?
Insoluble (does not create water potential gradient)
Long chain of glucose that twists into a helix (compact for storage)
Describe the structure of amylopectin.
HINT: Long Branches Grow Slowly
Long Branches Grow Slowly
L - Long chains of alpha glucose
B - Branches (1-6 glycosidic bonds form branching points)
G - Glycosidic Bonds (1-4 bonds in chains; 1-6 bonds for branches)
S - Spacing of branches (approximately every 25 glucose units)
What are the properties of amylopectin?
Compact and idealy for storage
Insoluable (do not affect water potential)
Branches gives ‘free ends’ so glucose can be added or released quickly
Describe the structure of glycogen.
Short, branched chains of alpha glucose
Joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds (chains) and 1-6 glycosidic bonds (branches)
What are the properties of glycogen?
Compact and insoluble so good for storage
Branching means many ‘free ends so glucose can be released (or stored) quickly
What is the function of glycogen?
Main energy store in animals
Stores soluble glucose that affects water potential as insoluble polysaccharide until needed
Describe the structure and properties of cellulose.
HINT: Bad Cats Bite My Fingers
Big Cellulose Builds Mighty Fibers:
B - Beta glucose chain
C - Chains that are Compact (1-4 glycosidic bonds link glucose molecules to form long, unbranched chains)
B - Bonded by hydrogen bonds (between chains for strength)
M - Microfibrils form (hydrogen bonds create strong, straight microfibrils)
F - Fibers are formed (microfibrils combine into macrofibrils and then into larger fibers)
Describe the function of cellulose?
Cellulose provides structural support for cells
How is a disaccharide broken down?
HINT: Hungry Hippos Eat Carefully
Hungry Hippos Eat Carefully
H - Hydrolysis: The reaction process that breaks down larger molecules.
H - H₂O Added: Water is added to split the disaccharide into monomers.
E - Enzyme-Catalyzed: Enzymes facilitate and speed up the hydrolysis reaction.
C - Condensation Opposite: This reaction is the opposite of condensation, which forms glycosidic bonds instead of breaking them.
