Biology (wk 3) Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: Overview

• Importance: Carbohydrates are crucial for the body as they act as a fast energy source and are absorbed readily.

• Functions: They provide structural support, play key roles in cellular assembly, and are involved in cell recognition processes.

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides

• Definition: The monomers of carbohydrates.

• Examples:

  • Ribose

  • Glucose

  • Fructose

• Characteristics: Simple sugars that serve as the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates.

Disaccharides

• Formation: Result from the union of two monosaccharides through a dehydration reaction, which breaks the hydroxyl group and removes a hydrogen.

• Example:

  • Sucrose: Formed by the combination of glucose and fructose.

• Reverse Reaction: When sucrose enters the body, enzymes break it down into its monomer components (glucose and fructose) using water, allowing for absorption into the bloodstream.

  • Absorption: Glucose is first sent to the brain and then utilized by different cells.

Polysaccharides

• Definition: Complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharides (hundreds to thousands).

• Functions: Vary depending on whether they are from animal or plant sources and include energy storage and structural support.

• Examples:

  • Animals: Glycogen is stored in muscles and organs. When glucose is low, glycogen provides energy.

  • Plants: Cellulose provides structural support to plant cells.

• Significance: Their functions depend on their structure and the diversity of functional groups present.