Hydrolysis of Carbohydrates

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the hydrolysis of carbohydrates, including definitions of terms and enzymes involved in the process.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction involving the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of two linked monosaccharides.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of many linked monosaccharides.

Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of carbohydrate structures using a strong acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid.

Lactose

A disaccharide made from glucose and galactose, commonly known as milk sugar.

Amylose

A polysaccharide made of many glucose units linked together.

Lactase

An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose.

Salivary Amylase

An enzyme that begins the digestion of starches (amylose and amylopectin) in the mouth.

Raffinose

An oligosaccharide composed of three linked monosaccharides: galactose, glucose, and fructose.

Dietary Fiber

Indigestible carbohydrates, primarily cellulose, that help to maintain digestive health.

Beta Linkages

A type of bond between glucose units in cellulose that is not digestible by humans.

Symbiosis

A mutually beneficial relationship between two different organisms.