Carbohydrates and Polysaccharides Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the structure and types of carbohydrates, including specific monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides based on the lecture notes.

Carbohydrates

Molecules consisting of $C$, $O$, and $H$ with the general formula $C_nH_{2n}O_n$ that serve as fuel and building material.

Monosaccharides

The simplest sugars which can exist in linear or ring forms and can be combined into polymers.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates consisting of two monosaccharides, such as maltose or sucrose.

Maltose

A disaccharide formed by the bonding of two glucose units.

Sucrose

A disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose, commonly referred to as table sugar.

Glycosidic linkage

The covalent bond formed between monosaccharides, with specific examples being the $1-4$ and $1-2$ linkages.

Lactose intolerance

A condition caused by the lack of the enzyme lactase, leading to the fermentation of lactose by bacteria and resulting in irritation.

Polysaccharides

Long chains of monosaccharides, also known as complex carbohydrates, that serve roles in nutrient storage and providing structure.

Starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants consisting of glucose monomers; it is the major storage form of glucose in plants.

Glycogen

The major storage form of glucose in animals, stored in granules within the liver and muscle tissues.

Cellulose

A structural polysaccharide that is a major component of the tough walls enclosing plant cells; it is difficult for most organisms to digest.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of arthropods and cell walls of fungi, which can also be used as surgical thread.