Carbs Flashcards
What are macromolecules?
Macromolecule are large, complex molecules made up of smaller repeating subunits called monomers, which are covalently bonded together
What are the 4 types of macromolecules
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Lipids
- Nucleic acids
What are carbohydrates?
carbs provide energy supply and storage, as well as structural components
Types of macromolecules are formed?
- Monomers
- Polymer
What is monomer?
A monomer is a small basic molecule, which joins up with another monomer through a process called dehydration synthesis, allowing them to form a larger complex molecule (polymer)
What is dehydration synthesis
Dehydration synthesis is a process is which two monomers bond together, this happens because…
1) One monomers loses a H ion, while the other loses a hydroxyl group (OH)
2) this forms water, which is removed and allows the monomers to bond together and create a polymer
What is a polymer?
A polymer is a large complex molecule, made up of two or more monomers that have been bonded together. The monomers repeat in a chain like structure to form it
What are examples of carbohydrate monomers?
Glucose, ribose and fructose
What are examples of carbohydrate polymers
Cellulose glycogen starch chitin
What are the different types of carbohydrates?
- Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Polysaccharides
What is monosaccharides (single sugar)? Examples
The most basic carbohydrates, made up of a single sugar molecule. They supply energy
- glucose
- fructose
- ribose
What is disaccharides (two sugars)? Examples
Made up of a two monosaccharides that are joined together by a glycosidic bond. They provide a energy source
- maltose
- sucrose
- lactose
What is polysaccharides (many sugars)? Examples
A large and complex molecule, that is formed by repeating monosaccharides chained together.
- Energy storage, structure support and cell to cell communication
- cellulose, glycogen, starch, and chitin (Can’t go, stay cunt)
Alpha glucose structure?
Down down up down
Beta glucose structure
Up down up down
Isomer
- A molecule that have the same chemical formula, but different structure.
- Since their structures are different, they also react differently too
- Beta and alpha glucose is an example of an isomer.they have the same formula, but different positionings of hydroxyl groups starting from carbon 1
What is a glycosidic bond, types?
The covalent bond the links two sugar molecules
Alpha glycosidic linkage (\ O /)
* found in sucrose
Beta glycosidic linkage (|\ O |)
* found in lactose
Types of carbohydrate polymers
- Cellulose
- Starch
- Glycogen
- Chitin
What is cellulose
Function:
* structural support in plants
* Not used for energy bc can’t be broken down
What is starch
Function
* used to store and supply energy (can be broken down)
What is glycogen
Function:
* used for storage
* highly branched
What is chitin
Function
* used for structural support in exoskeletons (insects, lobsters, fish scales)
Why can’t cellulose be broken down
The beta glycosidic bond cannot be broken down by the enzymes in the human digestive system, thus energy stored in bonds cannot be used
Why is fibre (ex. Cellulose) important for diet health
Keeps food moving through our intestines
