Bio111: Carbohydrates

Isomers

Compounds with the same formula but different structures.

Carbohydrates

macromolecules containing CHO in a 1:2:1 ratio; includes monosaccharides or "simple sugars" like glucose and polysaccharides or "complex carbs" like starch

Starch

An energy storage polysaccharide in plants consisting entirely of glucose monomers in linear or branched chains

Glycogen

An extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscle of animals; the animal equivalent of starch.

Cellulose

A structural support polysaccharide that is common in the cell walls of many organisms, especially plants; cannot be digested by most animals; also known as "fiber"

Monosaccharides

Single sugar molecules

Disaccharide

A double sugar, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis.

Polysaccharide

A polymer of thousands of simple sugars formed by dehydration synthesis.

Carbohydrate functions

short term energy and structure of cell walls