Macromolecules: Carbohydrates Flashcards
What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Carbohydrates have the general formula (CH2O)n.
What are monosaccharides?
The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units
Examples include glucose and fructose.
What is the general formula for monosaccharides?
(CH2O)n
n represents the number of carbon atoms.
What functional groups do all carbohydrates contain?
Carbonyl group (C=O) and hydroxyl groups (-OH)
This structure is essential for their reactivity and classification.
What distinguishes aldose sugars from ketose sugars?
Aldose sugars have the carbonyl group on the first carbon (C1), while ketose sugars have it on other carbons
This affects their structure and properties.
What is the difference between alpha-glucose and beta-glucose?
Alpha-glucose has the hydroxyl group below the plane of the ring, while beta-glucose has it above the plane
This distinction is important for biological functions.
What is stereochemistry?
The spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule
It plays a critical role in the function of carbohydrates.
How do disaccharides form?
Through condensation or dehydration reactions
This process involves the removal of a water molecule.
What is a glycosidic bond?
The bond formed between two monosaccharides during the formation of disaccharides
It is crucial for the structure of polysaccharides.
What are the two main roles of polysaccharides?
Storage and structure
Examples include starch (storage) and cellulose (structure).
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in biological systems?
To provide energy and build structures
They are also involved in cell signaling and the formation of other macromolecules.
What are glycoproteins?
Molecules that are part carbohydrate and part protein
They play important roles in cell recognition and signaling.
Fill in the blank: Monosaccharides differ in the number of _______ and the arrangement of hydroxyl groups.
carbons
This variation leads to different types of sugars with distinct properties.
True or False: Alpha glycosidic linkages are harder for enzymes to break than beta glycosidic linkages.
False
Alpha linkages are generally easier for enzymes to hydrolyze.
