AP Bio Unit 1.2 Carbohydrates

macromolecules

very large, complex molecules essential for life that are formed by joining smaller molecular subunits called monomers into long chains called polymers

carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins

four classes of macromolecules

polymer

most macromolecules are this and, which is a chain of repeating of monomers

carbohydrates

biological macromolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio (C₆H₁₂O₆), functioning primarily for short-term energy storage and structural suppor

carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

carbohydrates is composed of

monosaccharides (simple sugars)

monomers of carbohydrates

carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (1:2:1)

monosaccharides is composed of

disaccharides

contains two monosaccharides bonded together by dehydration synthesis

glycosidic linkage

a covalent bond that joins a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another group, which can be another carbohydrate or a non-sugar compound

sucrose in table sugar (glucose+fructose), lactose in milk (galactose+glucose)

example of disaccharides

enzyme lactose which break down lactose into galactose and glucose

people who are lactose intolerant lack

polysaccharides

polymers of monosaccharides, storage and structural, plants and animals use storage polysaccharides for later use,

starch

plants store sugar in forms of

glycogen

animals store sugars in forms of

hydrolysis reactions

glucose molecules can be broken off from these polysaccharides via

sugar monomers and the position of glycosidic linkages

The structure of polyssacharides is determined by

starch

Made of alpha-glucose subunits linked by α-1,4 and α-1,6 bonds. It forms coiled, helical, or branched shapes (amylose and amylopectin

Acts as an energy store for plants in foods like potatoes and grains. Humans use it for food, adhesives, and stiffening clothes.

cellulose

Made of beta-glucose subunits linked by alternating β-1,4 bonds. Each unit flips 180 degrees, creating straight, rigid, unbranched chains

Forms tough plant cell walls. Humans use it to make paper, cotton, and wood products.