Carbohydrates Overview Quiz

Study Notes

Carbohydrates Overview

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Monosaccharides (simple sugars) have a 1:2:1 atom ratio; formula: (CH2O)n.
Characteristically sweet-tasting and often identified by names ending in -ose.
Functional groups present: Carbonyl (aldehyde or ketone) and hydroxyl groups enhance solubility.

Functions of Carbohydrates

Serve as energy sources.
Provide structural support.
Facilitate cell-to-cell communication.
Raw materials for building amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids.
Functionality is linked to the carbohydrate's structural makeup.

Isomers

Isomers possess the same chemical formula but differ in atom arrangement leading to varied chemical properties.

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides: Single sugar unit, simplest form; include glucose (widely used), and can be triose, pentose, or hexose.
Disaccharides: Formed by two sugar subunits; examples include sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar).
Polysaccharides: Complex carbohydrates consisting of many monosaccharides; variations in structure based on glycosidic linkages.

Monosaccharides

The sweetest sugars, with glucose being the most common.
Exist in linear or ring forms, especially in water.
Functions: short-term energy storage (e.g., glucose) and building blocks for nucleic acids (e.g., ribose, deoxyribose).
Linked by glycosidic bonds between carbon atoms.

Disaccharides

Generally used for short-term energy storage.
Less sweet than monosaccharides due to more subunit linkages.
Examples: maltose (used in brewing), sucrose (sweetener), lactose (milk sugar).

Polysaccharides

Highly varied 3D structure, composed of numerous monosaccharides.
Water solubility is low due to their large size, despite polar functional groups.
Polymerization:
- Alpha-glucose forms linear chains through 1-4 glycosidic linkages; side branches through 1-6 linkages.
- Beta-glucose requires flipping for proper chain packing.

Functions of Polysaccharides

In Plants: Long-term energy storage (amylose, amylopectin), structural support (cellulose).
In Fungi: Structural support through chitin.
In Animals: Long-term energy storage and structural support (exoskeletons in insects/crustaceans).

Lipids Overview

Characteristically amphiphilic, containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.
Composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen; largely non-polar.
Structurally based on fatty acids, classified into 5 classes: fatty acids, fats/oils, phospholipids, steroids, and waxes.

Fatty Acids

Structural traits: Hydrocarbon chain (4+ carbons) with a carboxyl group at one end, rendering acidic properties.
Types of fatty acids:
- Saturated: No double bonds, linear shape, tightly packed, solid at room temperature.
- Unsaturated: Presence of double bonds, causing kinks in the chain, resulting in looser arrangement, generally liquid at room temperature.

Description

Test your knowledge on carbohydrates, their structures, and properties with this engaging quiz! You'll explore key concepts such as monosaccharides, the atomic ratio, and functional groups. Perfect for students seeking to understand the basics of sugars and their characteristics.