Carbohydrates and Lipids

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to carbohydrates and lipids.

Monosaccharide

A type of carbohydrate that consists of one sugar unit, serving as an energy source.

Disaccharide

A type of carbohydrate made up of two sugar units, which acts as a transport form.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of many sugar units, primarily used for storage.

Hydrolysis

A catabolic process where water is added to a molecule, causing it to split into two parts.

Condensation

An anabolic process that involves the loss of -OH and -H to form water, resulting in bond formation.

Glycosidic bond

A type of bond linking carbohydrates; formed by condensation between hydroxyl groups.

α-1,4-glycosidic linkage

A bond formed in unbranched chains of glucose, linking the first and fourth carbon atoms.

β-1,4-glycosidic linkage

A bond found in cellulose, connecting β-glucose units.

Triglyceride

A lipid made of three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule, primarily used for energy storage.

Saturated fatty acid

A fatty acid with no double bonds, usually solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid with one or more double bonds, which can be mono- or polyunsaturated.

Cis-fatty acid

A type of unsaturated fatty acid where hydrogen atoms are on the same side of the double bond.

Trans-fatty acid

An unsaturated fatty acid with hydrogen atoms on opposite sides of the double bond.

Lipid functions

Major functions include energy storage, protection, insulation, and being a component of cell membranes.

Cholesterol

A lipid that is not soluble in blood and requires packaging with proteins for transport.

LDL

Low-Density Lipoprotein; carries cholesterol from the liver to other parts of the body.

HDL

High-Density Lipoprotein; scavenges excess cholesterol and returns it to the liver.

Energy storage comparison

Lipids provide long-term energy storage, whereas carbohydrates serve as short-term energy storage.