Functional Groups in Carbohydrates

Study Notes

Hydroxyl (-OH): Present in sugars and alcohols; neutral in terms of pH; compounds ending in “-ol” indicate its presence.
Carbonyl (C=O): Commonly found in sugars; does not exhibit basic or acidic properties.
Carboxyl (-COOH): Typically found in proteins; characterized as an acidic functional group.
Amino (-NH2): Basic group found in proteins; often referred to as "amines."
Phosphate (OPO3): Present in lipids and nucleic acids; exhibits neutral pH behavior.
Methyl (-CH3): Associated with DNA; does not affect pH; crucial for DNA activation.

Functional Groups: Groups of atoms that interact consistently; include six types, with five being polar (hydrophilic) and one being non-polar (hydrophobic).
Macromolecules: Large molecules formed from repeating smaller units; includes carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Polymers: Substances consisting of many repeating units called monomers.

Carbohydrates: Classified by size; monosaccharides are singular, disaccharides consist of two, and polysaccharides include more than two units.
Disaccharide Formation: Constructed from two monosaccharides via dehydration reactions.
Polysaccharides in Plants: Starch serves as the primary storage form; structured in a helical form and comprised of glucose.
Polysaccharides in Animals: Glycogen functions as the storage polysaccharide; branched structure, stored mainly in the liver and muscles.

Dehydration Reaction: A synthesis process that joins two monomers by removing -OH from one and H from another, thus forming a polymer.
Hydrolysis Reaction: A process that disassembles a polymer into smaller units by adding water (H2O).
Lysis: Term used to describe the act of breaking apart or splitting.
Synthesis: Refers to the creation or combination of elements to produce a substance.
Dehydrate: The act of removing water from a compound.
Hydro: Prefix indicating association with water.

Shape of Carbohydrates: Typically circular (ring) structures, but some may present in linear forms.
Functional Groups Found in Carbohydrates: Primarily hydroxyl and carbonyl groups.