Structure, Classification, and Functions of Carbohydrates

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the structure, classification, and functions of carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, essential for all living organisms.

Monosaccharides

The simplest carbohydrates, consisting of one sugar unit and cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed from two monosaccharide units through a glycosidic bond.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates consisting of more than 10 monosaccharide units linked together, serving structural or storage functions.

Glycosidic bond

Covalent bond that connects monosaccharides, formed during the dehydration synthesis.

Aldoses

Monosaccharides containing an aldehyde group; examples include glucose and galactose.

Ketoses

Monosaccharides containing a ketone group; examples include fructose.

Reducing sugars

Disaccharides with a free hemiacetal unit acting as a reducing agent, like maltose.

Non-reducing sugars

Disaccharides that do not have a free hemiacetal group, such as sucrose.

Oligosaccharides

Carbohydrates that yield 3 to 10 monosaccharides upon hydrolysis.

Homopolysaccharides

Polysaccharides composed of repeating units of only one type of monomer, such as cellulose.

Heteropolysaccharides

Polysaccharides made up of two or more different types of monomers.

Glycoproteins

Carbohydrates bonded to proteins, important for cell recognition and immune response.

Glycolipids

Carbohydrates attached to lipids, crucial for cell membrane structure and function.

Cellulose

A homopolysaccharide providing structural support in plant cell walls.

Starch

A storage polysaccharide in plants made of amylose and amylopectin.

Chitin

A linear polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, serving as a structural component in fungal cell walls.

Peptidoglycan

A heteropolymer that provides strength to bacterial cell walls.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Negatively charged polysaccharides composed of disaccharides that play roles in cell structure and function.

Functions of glucose

Serves as an important energy source in humans and plants.

Role of galactose

Present in lactose, providing energy in milk.

Ribose

A sugar that is a key structural element of nucleic acids.

Function of maltose

Acts as an intermediate in starch and glycogen digestion.

Heparin

A natural anticoagulant preventing blood clotting.

Chondroitin sulfate

Constituent of cartilage providing resistance to compression.

Keratan sulfate

Present in cornea, cartilage, and bones, acting as a mechanical shock absorber.