Biological Molecules - Carbohydrates Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary bond that forms between monosaccharides to create disaccharides?

Ionic bond

Hydrogen bond

Covalent bond

Glycosidic bond (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a class of organic compound mentioned in biological contexts?

Nucleic acids

Inorganics (correct)

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Which polysaccharide is primarily used for structural support in plant cell walls?

Cellulose (correct)

Glycogen

Starch

Chitin

What level of organization do populations belong to in the biological hierarchy?

Community Signup and view all the answers

Which organelle is primarily responsible for energy transformations within a cell?

Mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the hierarchy of biological organization?

Cells form tissues, which make up organs. Signup and view all the answers

Which macromolecule is NOT classified within the context of biological importance?

Salts Signup and view all the answers

What type of biological community includes both living organisms and their nonliving environment?

Ecosystem Signup and view all the answers

What type of bond joins monosaccharides together to form disaccharides and polysaccharides?

Glycosidic bonds Signup and view all the answers

Which carbohydrate is primarily used as a metabolic fuel in organisms?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural component of plant cell walls?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is found in saliva and is important for starch digestion?

a-Amylase Signup and view all the answers

What type of carbohydrate is lactose?

Disaccharide Signup and view all the answers

In what ratio are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen found in carbohydrates?

1:2:1 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of polysaccharide is known for its structure and is found in chitin?

Heteropolysaccharide Signup and view all the answers

What is the end product of incomplete starch hydrolysis by a-amylase?

Dextrins Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a homodimer of glucose units?

Maltose Signup and view all the answers

During starch degradation, which enzyme specifically cleaves single maltose units?

b-Amylase Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of cellulose that affects its digestion in humans?

It consists of beta 1-4 linkages. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following carbohydrates is NOT composed of glucose units?

Chitin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of carbohydrates such as starch and glycogen in cells?

Storage of energy Signup and view all the answers

What condition is associated with a breakdown of glucose level regulation mechanisms in the body?

Diabetes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Biomolecules

Biomolecules are essential for cellular structure and function, metabolism, and energy transfer.
Compounds include inorganic (O2, CO2, H2O) and organic (C, H, O, N) elements.

Classification of Biomolecules

Types of Biomolecules:
- Carbohydrates: Sugars and starches
- Proteins: Structural and functional roles
- Lipids: Energy storage and membrane formation
- Nucleic acids: Genetic information carriers

Carbohydrates Overview

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio (C:H:O).
Serves as energy sources (sugars/starches) and structural components (cellulose/chitin).
Basic units are saccharides categorized as:
- Monosaccharides (single sugar unit)
- Disaccharides (two sugar units)
- Polysaccharides (multiple sugar units)

Types of Carbohydrates

Sugars:
- Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose): Energy source
- Disaccharides (e.g., sucrose): Formed from two monosaccharides
- Polysaccharides (e.g., glycogen, starch): Long chains for energy storage

Monosaccharides and Disaccharides

Glucose (C6H12O6): Most abundant monosaccharide and primary energy source.
Glycosidic bonds link monosaccharides to form disaccharides (e.g., sucrose, lactose, maltose).
Common disaccharides:
- Sucrose: Glucose + fructose, found in table sugar
- Lactose: Galactose + glucose, present in milk
- Maltose: Glucose + glucose, byproduct of starch breakdown

Polysaccharides

Comprise many monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds.
Major types include:
- Starches: Energy storage in plants
- Glycogen: Energy storage in animals
- Cellulose: Structural component in plant cell walls; humans lack enzymes to digest it.

Starch Hydrolysis

Enzymes like α-amylase (saliva, pancreatic juices) cleave α(1-4) bonds in starch, producing glucose and maltose.
β-amylase (found in malt) removes maltose units progressively from starch.

Structural Characteristics of Polysaccharides

Amylose: Unbranched chain of glucose linked by α(1-4) bonds.
Amylopectin: Highly branched polymer with both α(1-4) and α(1-6) linkages.
Starch granules (amyloplasts) serve as storage.

Cellulose as a Structural Polysaccharide

Most abundant carbohydrate on earth, constituting over 50% of carbon compounds in plants.
Composed of β(1-4) glycosidic linkages; provides fibrous structure in plant cell walls.
Only offers dietary roughage in humans and animals; cannot be digested.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the four main biological elements and their importance.
Identify classes of organic compounds based on structure and function.
Explain the structure of monosaccharides, glycosidic bonds, and polysaccharides.
Delineate the differences and roles of cellulose, starch, and chitin in biological systems.

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Description

Explore the fundamental aspects of carbohydrates in biological molecules, including their structure, categories, and examples. Understand the role of monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides as energy sources and structural components in living organisms.