Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to carbohydrates, including their structure, function, and differences among monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

What are monosaccharides?

Basic sugar units, consisting of single sugar molecules such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

The general formula is Cn(H2O)n.

What are the differences between D and L sugars?

D sugars have the hydroxyl group (-OH) on the right at the last chiral carbon, while L sugars have it on the left.

What is the structure of D-Glucose?

D-Glucose is represented with a specific arrangement of hydroxyl groups along its carbon chain.

What is maltose?

A disaccharide formed from two glucose molecules linked by an alpha-1,4 glycosidic bond.

What distinguishes sucrose from other disaccharides?

Sucrose is made of glucose and fructose linked by an alpha-1,2 glycosidic bond.

What is lactose composed of?

Lactose is a disaccharide of galactose and glucose linked by a beta-1,4 glycosidic bond.

What is the function of starch in plants?

Starch serves as a storage form of energy in plants.

Describe the structural difference between amylose and amylopectin.

Amylose is a linear polymer, while amylopectin has a branched structure with alpha-1,6 glycosidic bonds.

What is cellulose?

A polysaccharide that provides structural support in plant cell walls, consisting of beta-1,4 linked glucose units.

What are the repeating disaccharides in chondroitin sulfate?

Chondroitin sulfate is composed of repeating units of N-acetylgalactosamine and glucuronic acid.

Why can chondroitin sulfate bind more water than starch?

It contains multiple negatively charged groups that attract and hold more water.

What is a reducing sugar?

A sugar that can donate electrons or reduce another molecule, typically containing a free aldehyde or ketone group.

What happens during the hydrolysis of lactose?

Lactose is broken down into its monosaccharide components, glucose and galactose.