Introduction to Carbohydrates

Organic compounds containing only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically with a general formula Cn(H2O)y. They are composed of C=O and -OH functional groups, and play a crucial role in energy storage and biological processes.

The process by which green plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen.

The breakdown of glucose to produce energy in the form of ATP, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

The process by which a disaccharide, like sucrose, is broken down into two monosaccharides, like glucose and fructose, by the addition of water.

Monosaccharides are simple sugars that cannot be broken down into smaller units. They are the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharide units linked together by a glycosidic bond.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of many monosaccharide units linked together by glycosidic bonds.

A type of glycosidic bond formed between the anomeric carbon of a sugar molecule and a hydroxyl group of another molecule.

A sugar that has a carbonyl group (C=O) at the end of the carbon chain, specifically an aldehyde group.

A sugar that has a carbonyl group (C=O) in the middle of the carbon chain, specifically a ketone group.

Sugars with a three-carbon backbone. Examples include glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.

Sugars with a four-carbon backbone. Examples include erythrose and threose.

Sugars with a five-carbon backbone. Examples include ribose and arabinose.

Sugars with a six-carbon backbone. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.

A type of stereoisomer where the arrangement of atoms around a chiral carbon is mirror images.

A sugar that has the hydroxyl group on the highest-numbered chiral carbon on the right side in the Fischer projection.

A sugar that has the hydroxyl group on the highest-numbered chiral carbon on the left side in the Fischer projection.

A type of stereoisomer where two sugars differ in configuration at only one chiral carbon.

The most abundant monosaccharide in nature, used as a primary energy source for cells, and is the building block for many important carbohydrates.

A ketohexose found in fruits, used as a primary energy source, and is sweeter than glucose.

A hexose found in milk, used as an energy source, and is a component of lactose.

A disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bond. It’s produced by breaking down starch and is used as a sweetener.

A disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose linked by a α-1,2-glycosidic bond. It’s the most common sugar found in food.

A disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose linked by a β-1,4-glycosidic bond. It’s found in milk.

A polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It's the primary form of stored energy in plants.

A polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules linked by α-1,4 and α-1,6-glycosidic bonds. It's the primary form of stored energy in animals.

A polysaccharide composed of many glucose molecules linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It’s a structural component of plant cell walls, and provides rigidity.

A type of polysaccharide containing a single type of monosaccharide, such as starch or glycogen.

A type of polysaccharide containing multiple types of monosaccharides, such as hyaluronic acid or heparin.

A type of heteropolysaccharide composed of a protein core with branched or unbranched carbohydrate chains attached. They play important roles in cell recognition, cell signaling, and immune responses.

A sulfated heteropolysaccharide found in mast cells, with anticoagulant and anti- inflammatory properties. It binds to and activates lipoprotein lipase.

Dietary components derived from plants, not digestible by humans but important for digestive health. They can be polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins) or non-polysaccharides (lignin, cutins).