Chemistry of Carbohydrates Lecture

A collection of flashcards based on the lecture notes covering various aspects of carbohydrate chemistry.

What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?

Carbohydrates are composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O), specifically in the form of C + H2O.

What is the basic unit of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides are the basic unit of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units.

What is the formula for carbohydrates?

The general formula for carbohydrates is (CH2O)n.

What percentage of the typical human diet do carbohydrates constitute?

Carbohydrates constitute approximately 65% of the typical human diet.

What are polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are carbohydrates that consist of more than 10 units of monosaccharides.

What is the energy yield of carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates yield 4.1 calories per gram of energy.

What is the difference between reducing and non-reducing sugars?

Reducing sugars can donate electrons to other molecules, while non-reducing sugars cannot.

What is the main source of energy for babies?

Lactose in milk is the chief source of energy for babies.

Which polysaccharide is known for its storage role in animals?

Glycogen is the polysaccharide that serves as a key storage form of glucose in animals.

What are the functions of glycosaminoglycans?

Glycosaminoglycans act as lubricants in joints and provide structural support.

How are glycoproteins categorized?

Glycoproteins are categorized as proteins that have carbohydrate chains attached, which can be branched or unbranched.

What is the function of heparin?

Heparin functions as an anticoagulant in vitro and vivo.

What is the role of cellulose in plants?

Cellulose provides structural support in plants and is not digestible by humans.

What differentiates amylose from amylopectin?

Amylose is unbranched, while amylopectin is branched and contains both α(1→4) and α(1→6) linkages.

What is mutarotation?

Mutarotation is the gradual change of specific rotation of any optically active substance having a free aldehyde or ketone group.

What is the significance of the α and β forms in carbohydrates?

The α and β forms indicate the orientation of the hydroxyl group at the anomeric carbon; α has the OH on the opposite side of the CH2OH group, while β has it on the same side.

What type of reaction allows polysaccharides to form glycosidic bonds?

Glycosidic bonds in polysaccharides are formed through dehydration synthesis, where water is removed.