Carbohydrates: Energy and Structure

Flashcards covering the basic features of carbohydrates: their role as energy sources, general formulas, and the concept of isomers among glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecules that primarily serve as an energy source for most living things; they also contribute to cell surface structure in some organisms; composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

General formula of carbohydrates

Cn(H2O)n, the empirical formula representing the hydrated carbon framework of carbohydrates.

C2H4O2

The two-carbon carbohydrate formula derived from n = 2 in Cn(H2O)n (C2H4O2).

C6H12O6

The common chemical formula shared by glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Glucose, Fructose, Galactose

Three common monosaccharides that share the same formula (C6H12O6) but differ in their structural arrangement; they are structural isomers.

Structural isomers

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements; e.g., glucose, fructose, and galactose.

Elements in carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.