Carbohydrates Flashcards
What is the structure of the most simple sugar?
Monosachharides
What do monosaccharides consist of?
Usually 3-6 carbon atoms, a carbonyl group and many hydroxyl groups
What is an aldose?
A monosaccharide with an aldehyde group.
What is a ketose?
A monosaccharide with an ketone group.
What determines if a carbohydrate is an L isomer or a D isomer
The position of the hydroxyl group on the chiral carbon atom furthest away from the carbonyl group. If its on the left then its L and on the right then it’s D.
What is the difference between D-glucose and D-galactose?
The body is unable to break down D-galactose. It must first be converted into glucose
What is glactosemia?
The lack of enzymes required for the break down of galactose, resulting in the accumulation of galactose which can have toxic effects on the liver, brain, kidneys and eye.
How are cyclic structures formed?
When the hydroxyl group on C5 reacts with the aldehyde or ketone group
Describe the structure of glycogen
Highly branched polysaccharide made of multiple glucose units joined by alpha 1-4 and alpha 1-6 glycosidic bonds
Describe the role of glycogen
It stores several glucose units within the liver and muscle
Describe some of the tests that test for sugars
Fhelings solution - This will reacting with a reducing sugar (all monosacharides), the sugar reducing inorganic ions such as copper ions. This produces a colour change, the absorbance can be recorded and plotted on a standard curve.
Glucose oxidase test - urine dip to measure how much glucose is in the urine.
Blood test - Uncontrolled hyperglycemia results in a covalent linkage between
glucose and the NH2 terminal amino acid of the hemoglobin β chain.
This produces HbA1c. High levels of HbA1c indicated a high blood glucose level.
what is lactose intolerance?
The failure to produce lactase enzymes in the small intestine. Results in bloating, stomach cramps and flatulence.
