Carbohydrates

Made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms

General formula is (CH2O)n

Monosaccharides: the simplest form made up of one molecule

--> easily absorbed into the human body

Source:

Glucose: honey, fruits and a breakdown of starch and sucrose

Fructose: fruits and honey

Galactose: dairy products

Disaccharides: formed from two monosaccharides with the loss of one molecule of water

--> Condensation reaction form together two glucose molecules (forms a glycosidic bond)

Source:

Sucrose: table sugar, sugarcane and sweetened foods

Maltose: milk and dairy products

Lactose: malted foods and beverages

Oligosaccharides: these are carbohydrates with 3-9 molecules

Source:

• Legumes, vegetables and whole grains

Polysaccharides: molecule chains longer than 10 molecules

Source:

Starch: found in potatoes, rice, wheat, corn and other grains

Glycogen: found in animal-based foods

Cellulose: found in plant walls, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts

Glycogen is stored as glucose

Glucose is converted into glycogen when the glucose levels are too high

Glycogen is formed by two glucose molecules combining to make a disaccharide via the condensation reaction when this is process is repeated numerous times, it becomes a polysaccharide

The main storage of glycogen is in the liver and the muscles

The main function of carbohydrates is to act as metabolic fuels and energy stores

--> in the cells glucose is oxidised back into water and carbon dioxide

Condensation reactions involves the removal of water

When two monosaccharides combine water is removed giving us a glycosidic bond creating a disaccharide. This can happen more than once to create a oligosaccharides and polysaccharides