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Questions and Answers
What are carbohydrates primarily composed of?
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in living organisms?
Carbohydrates constitute about ___% by mass of dry plant substances.
75
A disaccharide is a carbohydrate that contains three monosaccharide units covalently bonded to each other.
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What process allows plants to produce carbohydrates?
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Which of the following substances do carbohydrates help synthesize?
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Match the following types of carbohydrates with their definitions:
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Carbohydrates can be linked to proteins and lipids and serve as structural components of cell membranes.
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What is the general empirical formula for most simple carbohydrates?
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What are carbohydrates primarily made of?
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Which of the following is a function of carbohydrates?
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Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of bioorganic molecules on Earth.
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What is the general empirical formula for most simple carbohydrates?
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A disaccharide is a carbohydrate that contains two ______ units covalently bonded to each other.
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Which carbohydrate is a polyhydroxy ketone?
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Chlorophyll is primarily responsible for the synthesis of carbohydrates.
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What are oligosaccharides?
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Study Notes
Introduction to Biochemistry
- Biochemistry studies the chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
- Bioorganic molecules constitute the majority of biochemical substances, with carbohydrates being the most abundant.
Occurrence of Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates make up approximately 75% of the dry mass of plants.
- They are produced in plants through photosynthesis, which uses carbon dioxide and water as reactants, facilitated by sunlight absorbed by chlorophyll.
Functions of Carbohydrates
- Oxidation of carbohydrates serves as a major energy source.
- They serve as short-term energy reserves when stored as glycogen.
- Carbohydrates are essential for supplying carbon atoms needed for the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Serve as structural components of DNA and RNA molecules.
- They are integral to the structure of cell membranes when linked to lipids.
- Carbohydrates linked to proteins play key roles in cell-cell and cell-molecule recognition.
Classification of Carbohydrates
- Simple carbohydrates generally follow the empirical formula CnH2On.
- Monosaccharides consist of a single polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone unit.
- Disaccharides are formed by two monosaccharide units covalently bonded.
- Oligosaccharides contain two to ten monosaccharide units connected covalently.
- Polysaccharides are long chains of many monosaccharide units joined together.
Chirality in Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates can exist as “left-handed” or “right-handed” forms, mirroring each other's structure.
- Glucose is classified as a polyhydroxy aldehyde, while fructose is a polyhydroxy ketone.
- The distinction between these forms relates to their stereochemistry, which affects their biological interactions.
Introduction to Biochemistry
- Biochemistry studies the chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
- Bioorganic molecules constitute the majority of biochemical substances, with carbohydrates being the most abundant.
Occurrence of Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates make up approximately 75% of the dry mass of plants.
- They are produced in plants through photosynthesis, which uses carbon dioxide and water as reactants, facilitated by sunlight absorbed by chlorophyll.
Functions of Carbohydrates
- Oxidation of carbohydrates serves as a major energy source.
- They serve as short-term energy reserves when stored as glycogen.
- Carbohydrates are essential for supplying carbon atoms needed for the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
- Serve as structural components of DNA and RNA molecules.
- They are integral to the structure of cell membranes when linked to lipids.
- Carbohydrates linked to proteins play key roles in cell-cell and cell-molecule recognition.
Classification of Carbohydrates
- Simple carbohydrates generally follow the empirical formula CnH2On.
- Monosaccharides consist of a single polyhydroxy aldehyde or ketone unit.
- Disaccharides are formed by two monosaccharide units covalently bonded.
- Oligosaccharides contain two to ten monosaccharide units connected covalently.
- Polysaccharides are long chains of many monosaccharide units joined together.
Chirality in Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates can exist as “left-handed” or “right-handed” forms, mirroring each other's structure.
- Glucose is classified as a polyhydroxy aldehyde, while fructose is a polyhydroxy ketone.
- The distinction between these forms relates to their stereochemistry, which affects their biological interactions.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the introductory concepts of carbohydrates in biochemistry, outlining their occurrence and functions. Explore the significance of these bioorganic molecules that play vital roles in various biological processes. Perfect for students in the first term of their biochemistry course.
