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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
What is the general formula for many simpler carbohydrates?
What is the general formula for many simpler carbohydrates?
What is the name of the bond that links monosaccharide units in oligosaccharides?
What is the name of the bond that links monosaccharide units in oligosaccharides?
What is the term for carbohydrates formed by short chains of monosaccharide units?
What is the term for carbohydrates formed by short chains of monosaccharide units?
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What is the term for carbohydrates that are polymers consisting of more than 10 monosaccharide units?
What is the term for carbohydrates that are polymers consisting of more than 10 monosaccharide units?
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What is an example of a polysaccharide?
What is an example of a polysaccharide?
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What is the term for single sugars?
What is the term for single sugars?
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What is the name of the molecule that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur?
What is the name of the molecule that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur?
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What is the function of carbohydrates in plants?
What is the function of carbohydrates in plants?
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What is the term for carbohydrates that are formed by three or more units linked to other molecules?
What is the term for carbohydrates that are formed by three or more units linked to other molecules?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic molecules in nature.
- They have a wide range of functions, including providing energy, storing energy, building blocks for polysaccharides, and as components of other molecules.
- They also serve as a structural component of many organisms and play key roles in the immune system, development, fertilization, and blood clotting.
General Formula for Carbohydrates
- The empiric formula for many simpler carbohydrates is (CH2O)n, hence the name "hydrate of carbon".
- For example, glucose has a formula of C6H12O6, where n is equal to 6.
- Some carbohydrates contain nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur.
Classification and Structure of Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates can be classified based on the number of carbohydrate units.
- Monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates, formed by one sugar unit, e.g. glucose, fructose, and galactose.
- Oligosaccharides are formed by short chains of monosaccharide units (from 2 to 10) linked by glycosidic bonds.
- Disaccharides are the most common sugars found in nature, e.g. sucrose, maltose, and lactose.
- Polysaccharides are polymers consisting of more than 10 monosaccharide units, e.g. starch.
- Monosaccharides have the general formula CnH2nOn with one of the carbons being the carbonyl group of either an aldehyde or a ketone.
- The suffix "-ose" indicates that a molecule is a carbohydrate.
- Each carbon atom bearing a hydroxyl group (-OH), with the exception of the first and last carbons, are asymmetric.
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Description
Learn about carbohydrates, their functions, and importance in nature. Understand their roles in providing energy, storing energy, and more.
