Carbohydrates I: Mono- and Disaccharides, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, and the Fates of Pyruvate

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to carbohydrates, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis.

Monosaccharides

The simplest carbohydrates; contain one sugar and must have at least three carbons.

Dissacharides

Carbohydrates that consist of two monosaccharides linked together.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, yielding energy in the form of ATP and NADH.

Gluconeogenesis

The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, mainly occurring in the liver.

Reducing Sugar

Sugars that have free aldehyde groups or ketoses, which can reduce metal ions.

Epimer

Sugars that differ in stereochemistry at one specific carbon atom.

Anomeric Carbon

The carbon derived from the carbonyl carbon during the formation of a hemiacetal or hemiketal.

Mutarotation

The process of conversion from one anomeric form to another in cyclic sugars.

Glycosidic Bond

The bond that links monosaccharides to form disaccharides or polysaccharides.

Fructose-2,6-bisphosphate

A key regulator that activates phosphofructokinase, promoting glycolysis.

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

A multienzyme complex that converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.

Carbohydrates

A group of biological molecules with the basic formula Cx(H2O)x.

Complex Carbohydrates

Polysaccharides that consist of long chains of monosaccharides, such as starch and cellulose.

ATP Generation

Occurs during glycolysis and provides energy for cellular processes.

Aldose vs. Ketose

Aldose has an aldehyde group; ketose has a ketone group.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides linked together, can serve structural functions or energy storage.