Carbohydrates Flashcards
Carbohydrates
Molecules that consist only of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and are made of long chains of sugar units called saccharides
Glucose
A monosaccharide containing six carbon atoms in each molecule and is the main substrate for respiration
What type of sugar describes glucose?
Hexose sugar
What are the two isomers of glucose?
Alpha glucose and beta glucose
How are the two isomers of glucose linked together?
They contain the same atoms but they are arranged in a different way
What are three examples of common monosaccharides?
Glucose, galactose and fructose
What are the typical characteristics of common monosaccharides?
They are sweet tasting and are soluble substances
What is the general formula of monosaccharides?
(CH20)n where n is any number from three to seven
What types of bonds are in glycogen molecules?
1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
Why do glycogen and amylopectin have a large number of side branches?
To allow energy to be released quickly as enzymes can act simultaneously on the branches
Why do glycogen and starch have a large but compact shape?
To maximise the amount of energy it can store
Why are glycogen and starch molecules insoluble?
To make sure it won’t affect the water potential of cells and so cannot diffuse out of cells
What are the two components of starch?
Amylose and amylopectin
Amylose
An unbranched chain of glucose molecules that are joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds
What are the characteristics of amylose?
It is coiled and a very compact molecule storing a lot of energy
