Chapter 3: Carbohydrates and Macromolecules — Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on carbohydrates, lipids, and macromolecules (Pages 1-5).

Monosaccharide

The simplest carbohydrate; building block of larger carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).

Simple sugar

A monosaccharide carbohydrate, typically containing 3–7 carbon atoms; cannot be broken down into simpler sugars.

Glucose

A key monosaccharide; most important carbohydrate for living organisms; primary energy source for cells; found in fruits and in blood as blood sugar.

Fructose

The sweetest naturally occurring monosaccharide.

Galactose

A monosaccharide; component of lactose in milk.

Suffix -ose

The suffix that indicates the substance is a carbohydrate.

Isomer

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different arrangement of atoms, giving them different properties.

Glycogen

A polymer of glucose; storage form of glucose in animals; primary short-term energy storage and rapid energy release when needed.

Blood glucose

Glucose circulating in the bloodstream; typically about 0.1% concentration.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed when two monosaccharides bond; examples include lactose (glucose + galactose) and sucrose (glucose + fructose).

Sucrose

Table sugar; a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose.

Lactose

Disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose.

Starch

Plant storage polysaccharide; formed by linked glucose units; major energy storage in cereals like barley, wheat, rye, corn, and rice.

Cellulose

Structural polysaccharide in plants; chains of glucose held together by hydrogen bonds, giving rigidity; fiber in the human diet.

Chitin

Structural polysaccharide of insects and crustaceans; contains nitrogen and hydrogen bonds that confer strength.

Fiber

Cellulose in the diet; dietary fiber; reduces risk of colon cancer and other diseases; excessive amounts can cause diarrhea.

Lipid

Macromolecule important for energy storage; nonpolar and not water-soluble; high energy due to carbon-hydrogen bonds; primarily composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Macromolecule

A large molecule built from smaller subunits (monomers); four main types are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrate

Organic molecule containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; commonly with the same ratio as C(H2O)n; primary fuel for cells.

Monomer

A simple molecule that serves as a building block for polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule formed by linking monomers covalently.

Nucleic acids

One of the four major macromolecules; store genetic information.

Time-release carbohydrate (complex carbohydrate)

Complex carbs made of many monosaccharides; provide slower, more sustained energy release.

Structural polysaccharide

Polysaccharides that provide structural support; examples include cellulose and chitin.

Barley, wheat, rye, corn, rice

Common sources of starch in foods.

Not all carbohydrates are digestible by humans

Some polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose) are indigestible by humans.

Carbon-hydrogen bonds

Energy-rich bonds in carbohydrates that store chemical energy.

Primary energy storage in animals

Glycogen serves as the main storage form of glucose in animals, enabling rapid energy release.

Fates of glucose

Circulating glucose can be used for immediate energy, stored as glycogen, or converted to fat when energy is surplus.