Carbohydrates and Lipids

Flashcards covering key concepts about carbohydrates and lipids, including definitions and classifications.

Carbohydrates

Most abundant macromolecules, acting as energy storage and structural components.

Monosaccharide

A simple carbohydrate consisting of a single sugar molecule, such as glucose or fructose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides linked together by a glycosidic bond.

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates composed of many monosaccharide units linked together.

D-Glucose

The most common hexose, serving as blood sugar and a building block for disaccharides and polysaccharides.

D-Galactose

An aldose sugar obtained from lactose, important in cellular membranes.

D-Fructose

A ketohexose sugar, sweeter than glucose, found in many fruits and honey.

Stereoisomer

Molecules that have the same molecular formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms.

Chiral Carbon

A carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups, leading to non-superimposable mirror images.

Achiral Carbon

A carbon atom bonded to two or more identical groups, allowing for superimposition.

Fischer Projection

A two-dimensional representation of a molecule used to depict stereochemistry.

Benedict’s Solution

A chemical reagent used to test for the presence of reducing sugars such as glucose.

Hyperglycemia

A condition characterized by excessively high blood sugar levels.

Hypoglycemia

A condition characterized by abnormally low blood sugar levels.

Glycosidic Bond

A covalent bond that connects a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group.

Alpha (α) and Beta (β) Isomer

Types of anomers distinguished by the position of the hydroxyl group (OH) on the anomeric carbon.

Starch

A polysaccharide that serves as the storage form of glucose in plants.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide that constitutes the primary component of plant cell walls.

Glycerophospholipids

Lipids that are key components of cell membranes, consisting of glycerol, fatty acids, and phosphate.

Steroids

A class of lipids characterized by a structure with four fused carbon rings.

Fatty Acids

Simplest type of lipids, consisting of long carbon chains terminating in a carboxylic group.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds in their carbon chains.

Essential Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet.

Prostaglandins

Biologically active compounds derived from fatty acids that play various roles in the body.

Hydrogenation Reaction

A chemical reaction that converts unsaturated fats to saturated fats by adding hydrogen.

Saponification

The process of making soap by reacting fats with a strong base.

Cholesterol

A type of steroid that is crucial for cell membrane structure and function.

Denaturation

The structural alteration of proteins resulting in loss of biological activity.

Peptide Bond

A covalent bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another.