Carbohydrates Structure and Function

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of polysaccharides?

To serve multiple functions such as energy storage and structural roles (correct)

To store genetic information

To function exclusively in identification and recognition

To act solely as structural components

Which type of sugar is primarily formed through the elimination of water between a sugar and another hydroxy compound?

Glycosides (correct)

Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides

Disaccharides

What structural formation do monosaccharides with five or more carbons mainly adopt?

Only cyclic structures with three atoms

Mixture of linear and ring structures with equal prevalence

Linear chains only

Rings of five or six atoms (correct)

Which of the following describes the components of glycoproteins?

Carbohydrates covalently bonded to proteins Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes aldoses from ketoses?

Aldoses have an aldehyde group, while ketoses have a ketone group Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of glycogen in animal cells?

Energy storage Signup and view all the answers

Which carbohydrate is characterized by having β-1→4 glycosidic bonds and provides structural support in plants?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What type of carbohydrate is formed by two monosaccharide units?

Disaccharides Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes reducing sugars from non-reducing sugars?

Presence of a free aldehyde or ketone group Signup and view all the answers

In glycolysis, which phase involves the investment of ATP?

Preparatory phase Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of monosaccharides?

Colorless crystalline solids Signup and view all the answers

Which compound is a structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of insects?

Chitin Signup and view all the answers

Which metabolic pathway generates glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors?

Gluconeogenesis Signup and view all the answers

Identify the type of carbohydrates that are characterized as long chains of monosaccharide units.

Polysaccharides Signup and view all the answers

What type of glycosidic bond is present in amylopectin?

α-1→6 Signup and view all the answers

In the context of carbohydrate metabolism, what is the significance of signal transduction?

Influences metabolic pathways Signup and view all the answers

Which structural feature distinguishes α and β anomers of carbohydrates?

Configuration around the anomeric carbon Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the pentose phosphate pathway?

Produce NADPH for biosynthetic reactions Signup and view all the answers

What is the repeating unit of glycogen?

Glucose Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Carbohydrates Structure and Function

Carbohydrates are compounds with general formula (CH2O)n or derivatives of such compounds.
Oxidation of carbohydrates provides a major source of energy.
Carbohydrates can exist as enantiomeric pairs (D and L) of multiple diastereomers due to chiral centers.
Monosaccharides can be aldoses or ketoses.
Monosaccharides with five or more carbons exist mainly in the form of rings of five (furanoses) or six (pyranoses) atoms.
Ring formation results from internal hemiacetal (or hemiketal) formation.
α or β anomers are formed as a result of ring formation, and exhibit multiple conformations.

Derivatives

Derivatives of monosaccharides include phosphate esters, acids, and lactones, amino sugars and glycosides.
Phosphate esters are important as metabolic intermediates.
Glycosides are a large class of compounds formed by elimination of water between a sugar and another hydroxy compound.

Oligosaccharides and Polysaccharides

Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides are formed by making glycosidic links between monosaccharides.
Polysaccharides serve multiple functions – energy storage, structure roles, and identification/recognition.

Blood Group Antigens

Blood group antigens are an example of the identification/recognition function of polysaccharides.
Complex glycan chains are assembled by stepwise transfer of monosaccharide units from nucleotide-linked sugars, through the action of glycosyltransferases.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of carbohydrates, including their structure, types, and functions. Explore topics such as monosaccharides, derivatives, and the significance of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Assess your understanding of carbohydrate chemistry and its role in biological systems.