Carbohydrates and Glycoconjugates

These flashcards cover the fundamental concepts and terminology related to carbohydrates and glycoconjugates based on the provided lecture notes.

Carbohydrates

The most abundant biomolecules on Earth, serving as energy sources and structural components.

Photosynthesis

Process that converts CO2 and H2O into carbohydrates like cellulose.

Cellulose

A type of carbohydrate polymer that serves as a structural element in plant cell walls.

Glycans

Another term for carbohydrate polymers, involved in structural and protective roles.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars consisting of a single polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone unit; examples include D-glucose.

Oligosaccharides

Short chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds; often part of glycoconjugates.

Polysaccharides

Long carbohydrate polymers containing more than 20 monosaccharide units; examples include cellulose and glycogen.

Glycosidic bonds

Linkages that join monosaccharides in oligosaccharides and polysaccharides.

D-glucose

The most abundant monosaccharide in nature, often referred to as dextrose.

Glycoconjugates

Molecules in cells that have carbohydrate polymers attached to proteins or lipids, important for cell-cell recognition.