Biology: Carbohydrates

Study Notes

Carbohydrates

General Characteristics:
- Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
- Typically have a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms
- Can be simple or complex
Types of Carbohydrates:
1. Monosaccharides:
  - Simple sugars, e.g. glucose, fructose, galactose
  - Cannot be broken down into simpler sugars
2. Disaccharides:
  - Composed of two monosaccharides, e.g. sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose)
  - Can be broken down into simpler sugars
3. Polysaccharides:
  - Composed of many monosaccharides, e.g. starch, cellulose, glycogen
  - Can be broken down into simpler sugars
Functions:
- Energy source for cells
- Structural components (cellulose in plant cell walls)
- Storage molecules (starch, glycogen)

Proteins

General Characteristics:
- Composed of amino acids
- Amino acids linked by peptide bonds
- Can be simple or complex
Types of Proteins:
1. Structural Proteins:
  - Provide structure and support for cells and tissues
  - Examples: collagen, keratin
2. Enzymes:
  - Catalyze chemical reactions
  - Examples: lactase, peptidase
3. Transport Proteins:
  - Transport molecules and ions across cell membranes
  - Examples: hemoglobin, albumin
4. Defense Proteins:
  - Involved in immune response
  - Examples: antibodies, interferons
Functions:
- Structural components
- Enzymatic activity
- Transport and storage
- Defense and immune response

Lipids

General Characteristics:
- Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
- Typically have a high energy density
- Can be simple or complex
Types of Lipids:
1. Fatty Acids:
  - Simple lipids, e.g. palmitic acid, oleic acid
  - Can be saturated or unsaturated
2. Triglycerides:
  - Composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule
  - Examples: fats, oils
3. Phospholipids:
  - Composed of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group
  - Examples: phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin
4. Sterols:
  - Examples: cholesterol, ergosterol
Functions:
- Energy storage
- Structural components (cell membranes)
- Hormone regulation (steroids)
- Insulation and protection (fats and oils)

Carbohydrates

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms
Can be simple (monosaccharides) or complex (disaccharides, polysaccharides)
Examples of monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, galactose
Disaccharides: composed of two monosaccharides, e.g. sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose)
Polysaccharides: composed of many monosaccharides, e.g. starch, cellulose, glycogen
Functions: energy source for cells, structural components (cellulose in plant cell walls), storage molecules (starch, glycogen)

Proteins

Composed of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
Can be simple or complex
Examples of structural proteins: collagen, keratin
Enzymes: catalyze chemical reactions, e.g. lactase, peptidase
Transport proteins: transport molecules and ions across cell membranes, e.g. hemoglobin, albumin
Defense proteins: involved in immune response, e.g. antibodies, interferons
Functions: structural components, enzymatic activity, transport and storage, defense and immune response

Lipids

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms with high energy density
Can be simple (fatty acids) or complex (triglycerides, phospholipids, sterols)
Examples of fatty acids: palmitic acid, oleic acid (saturated or unsaturated)
Triglycerides: composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule, e.g. fats, oils
Phospholipids: composed of a glycerol molecule, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, e.g. phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin
Sterols: e.g. cholesterol, ergosterol
Functions: energy storage, structural components (cell membranes), hormone regulation (steroids), insulation and protection (fats and oils)

Description

This quiz covers the general characteristics and types of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides and disaccharides. It's perfect for biology students looking to test their knowledge of carbohydrates.