Carbohidratos: Estructura y Función

Carbohydrates - Structure and Function

• Carbohydrates (also called saccharides) are organic compounds derived from glucose.
• They are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms (with the general formula (CH₂O)ₙ).
• Carbohydrates have diverse functions, including energy storage, structural components, and cell communication.
• Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit.
• Oligosaccharides are formed by the linking of two to ten monosaccharides.
• Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked together.
• Isomers have identical chemical formulas but different structures or spatial arrangements.
• Conformational isomers do not require breaking bonds. Can have different conformations.
• Cyclic forms of monosaccharides (e.g., hemiacetals and hemiketals) arise.
• Monosaccharides are classified as aldoses if they contain an aldehyde group or ketoses if they contain a ketone group.
• Important monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose, and deoxyribose.
• Disaccharides are formed from two monosaccharides joined together by a glycosidic bond. Common disaccharides include sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
• Glycosidic bonds are formed by the dehydration reaction between two hydroxyl groups, releasing a water molecule.
• The type of glycosidic bond influences the structure and properties of the disaccharide.
• Oligosaccharides also play a role in cell recognition and signaling.
• Polysaccharides, like starch (amylose and amylopectin), glycogen, and cellulose, serve as energy storage and structural components.
• Starch is the storage form of glucose in plants, while glycogen is the storage form in animals
• Cellulose, a structural polysaccharide in plants, is composed of β-D-glucose subunits.

Monosaccharides and Modifications

• Monosaccharides are important building blocks for carbohydrates.
• Oxidation of monosaccharides can produce uronic acids.
• Different monosaccharides can be linked together in various ways to create diverse structures and functionalities.

Disaccharides and Oligosaccharides

• Disaccharides are formed by connecting two monosaccharides via a glycosidic bond.
• Maltose, lactose, and sucrose are common examples.
• Oligosaccharides are chains of 3–10 monosaccharides.
• Their precise structure determines their interactions and functions.

Polysaccharides

• Polysaccharides are polymers, made up of hundreds of monosaccharides.
• Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
• These vary based on the type of glycosidic bond and the monomer(s) present.

Classification of Carbohydrates

• Classification based on the number of sugar units (monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides)
• Grouping into aldoses and ketoses based on the carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone).
• Key examples of each type.

Isomers of Carbohydrates

• Isomers have the same chemical formula but differ in their atomic arrangement.
• Important types of carbohydrate isomers include structural isomers, stereoisomers, and enantiomers.

Important Functions of Carbohydrates

• Energy storage through glycogen and starch
• Structural support through cellulose and chitin
• Cell recognition and signaling via glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Este cuestionario explora los carbohidratos, sus estructuras y funciones esenciales en los organismos vivos. Desde monosacáridos hasta polisacáridos, aprenderás sobre sus principios básicos y su importancia en el almacenamiento de energía y la comunicación celular. ¡Pon a prueba tus conocimientos sobre este tema fundamental de la biología!