Carbohydrates Flashcards
What are carbohydrates?
Organic molecules that contain carbon and come from living sources.
What are carbohydrates composed of?
carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O) (CHO) in a 1:2:1 ratio.
What are the 2 discoveries that changed nutritional thinking about carbs and their role in health?
- Many carbs are not digested but are resistant starches that feed bacteria in the large intestine.
- Many carbs function as communication devices, not fuels.
Do carbs come from plants or animals?
Plants: Carbs are produced by photosynthesis in plants.
What roles to carbs play in the body?
Functioning of internal organs, nervous system and muscles.
What are the three types of carbohydrates?
Sugars
Starches
Fiber
What are the three types of simple carbs (sugars) monosaccharides?
Glucose
Fructose
Galactose
What are the main characteristics of glucose?
Used by cells for energy
Absorbed directly into the blood stream
Adrenaline and Insulin are very important in sugar metabolism
Can be measured in the blood stream
Too much=diabetes, Too little=hypoglycemia
What are the main characteristics of fructose?
Found in honey, ripe fruits and some veggies (corn).
Not absorbed directly into the blood stream.
can be changed to glucose in the liver or small intestine for a quick source of energy.
What are the main characteristics of galactose?
Milk sugar
produced during the digestion of lactose
absorbed at a similar rate to glucose.
building block for myelin sheath.
Enzyme that breaks down the disaccharide lactose?
Lactase (many ethnic groups are deficient in this enzyme)
Enzyme that breaks down the disaccharide sucrose (white sugar)?
Sucrase (increased consumption can lead to many health issues)
Enzyme that breaks down the disaccharide maltose (malt sugar)?
Maltase
