Chapter 5 – Carbohydrates: Structure, Function & Health

Vocabulary flashcards covering structures, types and physiological roles of carbohydrates, plus related health concerns from Chapter 5 lecture notes.

Carbohydrate

A macronutrient category that includes sugars, starches and fiber; composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen produced by plants via photosynthesis.

Monosaccharide

A single-sugar molecule (C6H12O6); building block of carbs—e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose.

Glucose

Most abundant monosaccharide; a.k.a. “blood sugar,” serves as primary energy source and is often linked to other sugars.

Fructose

Fruit sugar found in fruits, vegetables, honey and high-fructose corn syrup.

Galactose

Monosaccharide that combines with glucose to form lactose, the sugar in milk.

Sugar alcohol

Sweetener derived from monosaccharides; used in sugar-free gum and dietetic foods.

Sorbitol

A sugar alcohol commonly used as a low-calorie sweetener.

Mannitol

A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and medical diuretic.

Xylitol

Sugar alcohol found in many sugar-free gums; may reduce dental caries.

Pentose

A 5-carbon sugar not supplied by diet; part of genetic material.

Ribose

Pentose sugar that forms the backbone of RNA.

Deoxyribose

Pentose sugar that forms the backbone of DNA.

Disaccharide

Carbohydrate made of two monosaccharides linked by condensation, producing one water molecule.

Condensation reaction

Chemical process that joins two monosaccharides and releases water.

Alpha bond

Digestible glycosidic bond present in maltose and sucrose.

Beta bond

Hard-to-digest glycosidic bond found in lactose and dietary fiber.

Maltose

Disaccharide of two glucose units; present in seeds and alcoholic beverages.

Sucrose

Table sugar composed of glucose + fructose; sourced from sugar cane, beets and maple sap.

Lactose

Milk sugar made of glucose + galactose; found in dairy products.

Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrate containing hundreds to thousands of glucose molecules.

Starch

Plant storage form of glucose; digestible polysaccharide.

Glycogen

Animal/human storage form of carbohydrate found in liver and muscles.

Dietary fiber

Nondigestible carbohydrate that naturally occurs in plant foods.

Functional fiber

Isolated nondigestible carbohydrate added to foods for beneficial effects.

Insoluble fiber

Fiber that does not dissolve in water; adds bulk and prevents constipation.

Soluble fiber

Fiber that dissolves or swells in water; can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose spikes.

Digestible carbohydrate

Carbohydrate that yields 4 kcal/g and is broken down mostly to glucose for energy.

Indigestible carbohydrate

Carbohydrate (fiber) that resists digestion and promotes bowel health.

Gluconeogenesis

Process of producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, sparing body protein.

Glucose intolerance

Impaired regulation of blood glucose leading to hyper- or hypoglycemia.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose level.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood glucose level.

Fasting blood glucose (normal)

Typical range of 70–100 mg/dL in healthy individuals.