Life Sciences 2 - Week 4 - Carbohydrates Flashcards
What are the differences between Monosaccharides, Disaccharides and Polysaccharides.
*Monosaccharides: The simplest form of carbohydrates (single sugar units).
*Disaccharides: Formed by linking two monosaccharides through a glycosidic bond.
- Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharides linked together.
What are some examples of Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides.
Monosaccharides: Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
Disaccharides: Examples include maltose (glucose + glucose), sucrose (glucose + fructose), and lactose (glucose + galactose).
Polysaccharides: Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
Explain how saccharide derivatives can increase chemical diversity of compounds.
Saccharide derivatives, such as glycoproteins, add diversity to molecules by combining carbohydrates with proteins, which can alter their function. This is important for processes like immune recognition and determining blood group types.
What are the digestive enzymes involving in carbohydrate metabolism.
*Salivary Amylase: Breaks down starch into maltose and glucose in the mouth.
*Pancreatic Amylase: Further digests carbohydrates in the small intestine.
*Brush Border Enzymes:
These include lactase, which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose in the small intestine.
What is Enzymatic Hydrolysis in Carbohydrate Metabolism?
Enzymatic hydrolysis is the process where complex carbohydrates are broken down into simpler sugars by the addition of water, catalyzed by enzymes. For example, amylase breaks down starch into disaccharides, and disaccharidases in the small intestine convert disaccharides into monosaccharides.
Explain the role of digestive organs in carbohydrate metabolism.
*Mouth: Begins carbohydrate digestion with salivary amylase.
Stomach: No significant carbohydrate digestion due to the acidic environment, which inhibits amylase activity.
*Small Intestine: Main site of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, where pancreatic amylase and brush border enzymes act.
*Pancreas: Secretes pancreatic amylase into the small intestine.
*Liver: Processes absorbed monosaccharides and helps regulate blood glucose levels.
What is the process of Monosaccharide Absorption?
*Glucose and Galactose are absorbed into enterocytes of the small intestine via sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT), a sodium-dependent active transport mechanism.
*Fructose enters the cells via facilitated diffusion through GLUT-5.
*All monosaccharides exit the enterocytes and enter the bloodstream via GLUT-2 by passive facilitated diffusion.
