carbohydrates Flashcards
What are carbohydrates composed of?
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Carbohydrates are molecules that consist only of these three elements.
What are the three types of saccharides?
- Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Polysaccharides
Saccharides are sugar units that make up carbohydrates.
Define monosaccharide
Single sugar monomer
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
Define disaccharide
Two monosaccharides
Disaccharides are formed by the condensation of two monosaccharide units.
Define polysaccharide
Many monosaccharides
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed by long chains of monosaccharides.
How do monosaccharides join to form disaccharides and polysaccharides?
By glycosidic bonds formed in condensation reactions
Glycosidic bonds are essential for carbohydrate structure.
What is the main substrate for respiration?
Glucose
Glucose is a key energy source for cellular respiration.
What are the isomers of glucose?
- Alpha glucose
- Beta glucose
These isomers have different structural arrangements.
What type of sugar is ribose?
Pentose sugar
Ribose contains five carbon atoms and is a component of RNA.
What is deoxyribose?
An isomer of ribose that lacks the OH group on the second carbon
Deoxyribose is a component of DNA.
What is maltose formed from?
Condensation of two glucose molecules
Maltose is a type of disaccharide.
What is sucrose formed from?
Condensation of glucose and fructose
Sucrose is commonly known as table sugar.
What is lactose formed from?
Condensation of glucose and galactose
Lactose is the sugar found in milk.
What are two polysaccharides formed from alpha glucose?
- Glycogen
- Starch
Both are energy storage molecules in different organisms.
What is glycogen’s role in animals?
Main energy storage molecule
Glycogen is highly branched for rapid energy release.
What is starch composed of?
- Amylose
- Amylopectin
Starch is a mixture of these two polysaccharides.
Describe amylose.
Unbranched chain of glucose joined by 1,4 glycosidic bonds
Amylose is coiled and compact, allowing for efficient energy storage.
Describe amylopectin.
Branched molecule made up of glucose joined by 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds
Amylopectin is rapidly digested due to its side branches.
What is cellulose composed of?
Long, unbranched chains of beta glucose monomers
Cellulose is important for structural support in plant cell walls.
What are microfibrils?
Strong threads made of long cellulose chains joined by hydrogen bonds
Microfibrils provide structural strength in plant cells.
