Biomolecules: Carbohydrates

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to carbohydrates, including their structure, function, and roles in biological systems.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugar molecules that serve as the monomers of carbohydrates, typically comprising carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Glycosidic Linkage

The covalent bond formed between two monosaccharides through a condensation reaction, resulting in the formation of a disaccharide or polysaccharide.

Polysaccharides

Large carbohydrate molecules formed by joining multiple monosaccharides; examples include starch and glycogen.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide composed of b-glucose subunits that provides mechanical stability to plant cell walls.

Condensation Reaction

A chemical reaction in which two molecules combine to form a larger molecule with the release of a small molecule, often water.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water, typically used to mobilize energy stores in carbohydrates.

Starch

A polysaccharide composed of a-glucose units that serves as an energy storage molecule in plants.

Glycoproteins

Molecules that are formed from the combination of carbohydrates and proteins, serving as identification tags on cell surfaces.

AB Blood Type

A blood type characterized by the presence of both A and B glycoproteins on the surface of red blood cells, allowing compatibility with all blood types.

Pentose Sugar

A monosaccharide containing five carbon atoms; an example is ribose, a crucial component of RNA.

Hexose Sugar

A monosaccharide that consists of six carbon atoms; an example is glucose, an essential energy source for cells.