Carbohydrates & lipids - carbohydrates Flashcards
What are the monomers of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
What do two monosaccharides form when they join?
A disaccharide
Disaccharides are formed through glycosidic bonds.
What do many monosaccharides form when they join?
A polysaccharide
Polysaccharides are larger carbohydrate molecules.
How do monosaccharides join together?
Via condensation reactions
This process involves the release of water.
What is the new chemical bond that forms between two monosaccharides called?
A glycosidic bond
Glycosidic bonds are crucial for forming larger carbohydrate structures.
What is the general formula for monosaccharides?
CnH2nOn
‘n’ represents the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.
What are some properties of monosaccharides?
Colourless crystalline molecules, soluble in water
These properties are essential for their biological functions.
What type of monosaccharide contains 3 carbon atoms?
Triose
An example of a triose is glyceraldehyde.
What type of monosaccharide contains 5 carbon atoms?
Pentose
An example of a pentose is ribose.
What type of monosaccharide contains 6 carbon atoms?
Hexose
An example of a hexose is glucose.
What is the molecular formula of glucose?
C6H12O6
Glucose is a hexose monosaccharide.
What is the primary role of glucose in living organisms?
It is the main substrate used in respiration
Glucose releases energy for ATP production.
What are the two structural forms of glucose called?
Alpha (α) glucose and beta (β) glucose
These forms are isomers of glucose.
What polysaccharides are made from alpha glucose?
Starch and glycogen
These polysaccharides serve as energy storage.
What polysaccharide is made from beta glucose?
Cellulose
Cellulose serves a structural role in plant cell walls.
What are some properties of glucose that are essential for its function?
Stable structure, soluble in water, easily transportable, source of chemical energy
These properties facilitate its role in metabolism.
What is the function of carbohydrates?
Energy storage molecules and structural molecules
They play critical roles in biological systems.
What are the characteristics of starch and glycogen as storage polysaccharides?
Compact, large quantities stored in small space, insoluble
Insolubility prevents cell bursting due to water influx.
What are the two components of starch?
Amylose and amylopectin
Amylose is unbranched, while amylopectin is branched.
What is the percentage composition of amylose in starch?
10 - 30 %
Amylose contributes to the compact structure of starch.
What is the structure of amylopectin?
Branched molecule with 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds
The branching allows for rapid glucose release.
What is glycogen’s primary function in animals?
Storage polysaccharide
It provides quick energy due to its highly branched structure.
What is cellulose primarily used for in plants?
Structural carbohydrate in cell walls
Cellulose provides strength and support to plant cells.
What is the difference between α-glucose and β-glucose?
The hydroxyl group on carbon 1 sits above the ring in β-glucose and below in α-glucose
This structural difference affects their bonding and function.
