Carbohydrates in Biology

Definition and Structure

• A carbohydrate is a biomolecule consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually in a ratio of 1:2:1
• General formula: Cx(H2O)y, where x and y are whole numbers
• Classified into four main groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides

• Simple sugars, cannot be broken down into simpler sugars
• Examples: glucose, fructose, galactose

Disaccharides

• Composed of two monosaccharide units
• Examples: sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose)

Oligosaccharides

• Composed of 3-10 monosaccharide units
• Examples: maltose (glucose + glucose), raffinose (glucose + galactose + fructose)

Polysaccharides

• Composed of 10 or more monosaccharide units
• Examples: starch (plant-based), glycogen (animal-based), cellulose (plant cell walls)

Functions of Carbohydrates

• Primary source of energy for cells
• Structural components of cells (cellulose, chitin)
• Involved in cell signaling and recognition (glycoproteins, glycolipids)
• Storage of energy (glycogen, starch)

Importance of Carbohydrates in the Human Body

• Provide energy for the brain and nervous system
• Fuel for physical activity
• Constituent of DNA and RNA
• Component of glycoproteins and glycolipids in cell membranes

Definition and Structure

• A carbohydrate is a biomolecule composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually in a 1:2:1 ratio
• General formula: Cx(H2O)y, where x and y are whole numbers

Classification

• Carbohydrates are classified into four main groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides

Monosaccharides

• Simple sugars that cannot be broken down into simpler sugars
• Examples: glucose, fructose, galactose

Disaccharides

• Composed of two monosaccharide units
• Examples: sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose)

Oligosaccharides

• Composed of 3-10 monosaccharide units
• Examples: maltose (glucose + glucose), raffinose (glucose + galactose + fructose)

Polysaccharides

• Composed of 10 or more monosaccharide units
• Examples: starch (plant-based), glycogen (animal-based), cellulose (plant cell walls)

Functions of Carbohydrates

• Primary source of energy for cells
• Structural components of cells (cellulose, chitin)
• Involved in cell signaling and recognition (glycoproteins, glycolipids)
• Storage of energy (glycogen, starch)

Importance of Carbohydrates in the Human Body

• Provide energy for the brain and nervous system
• Fuel for physical activity
• Constituent of DNA and RNA
• Component of glycoproteins and glycolipids in cell membranes

Learn about the structure and types of carbohydrates, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Understand their general formula and classification.