Carbohydrates topic 2.3

Question 1

Monosaccharides

Answer 1

The monomer of a carbohydrate is called a monosaccharide
* Monosaccharides primarily function as an energy source
Examples of monosaccharides include glucose and ribose

Question 2

Polysaccharides

Answer 2

Monosaccharides are covalently joined by glycosidic linkages
to form polymers (requires condensation reactions)

Polysaccharides may be used for a variety of cell functions:
* Short term energy storage (e.g. glycogen, starch)
* Structural components (e.g. cellulose)
* Recognition / receptors (e.g. glycoproteins)

Question 3

Types of Polysaccharides

Answer 3

1. Cellulose (component of plant cell wall)
2. Starch (energy storage in plants)
3. Glycogen (energy storage in animals)

Question 4

Cellulose

Answer 4

• Linear molecule made of β-glucose subunits
• Subunits bound in a 1-4 arrangement

Question 5

Starch

Answer 5

• Composed of α-glucose subunits and exists in two forms
• Amylose is linear (helical) and bound in 1-4 arrangements
• Amylopectin is branched (bound in 1-4 and 1-6 arrangements)

Question 6

Glycogen

Answer 6

• Branched molecule composed of α-glucose subunits
• Is like amylopectin but with more frequent 1-6 bonding

Question 7

Energy Storage

Answer 7

Carbohydrates and lipids are both used as energy storage
molecules

Question 8

Differences between carbohydrates and lipids

Answer 8

• Storage (lipids used for long term storage)
• Osmotic pressure (lipids easier to store)
• Digestion (carbohydrates easier to utilize)
• ATP yield (lipids store more energy per gram)
• Solubility (lipids insoluble / harder to transport)

Question 9

BMI calculation

Answer 9

Mass in kg / (height in m)2