Carbohydrates and Lipids Flashcards
What are carbohydrates?
Biological molecules containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms and they are fundamental cellular components vital for cellular functions
What is a ‘saccharide’?
A termed name for a carbohydrate
What are 3 functions of carbohydrates?
- Provide a rapid and regular supply of energy for cellular reactions
- Form part of important molecules in the cell
- Form markers on the cell surface which aid cell recognition
What is a disaccharide?
Two monosaccharides linked together (a dimer)
What is an oligosaccharide?
A polymer of 3-20 monosaccharides
What is a polysaccharide?
A polymer of monosaccharide units linked together
What are 3 examples of monosaccharides?
Glucose, ribose and fructose
What is a monosaccharide?
Single sugar molecules providing instant energy
What is a ‘Fischer projection’?
A two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional organic molecule by projection
Give the 3 examples of aldohexose sugars with the same chemical formula
Glucose, galactose and mannose
What is a stereoisomer?
Molecules with the same chemical formula and the same order and type of bonds. However, they are non-overlapping mirror images of each other and thus have different spatial arrangements and different biological functions.
What does stereoisomerism require?
A chiral carbon centre
What is a chiral carbon?
A carbon that has 4 different groups attached to it
How does cyclization occur?
The OH group on the second to last carbon reacts with carbonyl group
What is the resulting product for the cyclization of an aldose?
A hemiacetal
What is the resulting product for the cyclization of a ketose?
A hemiketal