Front

What is a carbohydrate?

Back

A carbohydrate is an organic compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1. They are a primary source of energy for living organisms.

Front

What is the general formula for carbohydrates?

Back

The general formula for carbohydrates is Cn(H2O)n, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

Front

What are the three main types of carbohydrates?

Back

The three main types of carbohydrates are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Front

What is a monosaccharide?

Back

A monosaccharide is the simplest form of carbohydrate, consisting of a single sugar molecule, such as glucose or fructose.

Front

What is a disaccharide?

Back

A disaccharide is a carbohydrate formed by the combination of two monosaccharides, such as sucrose (glucose + fructose) or lactose (glucose + galactose).

Front

What is a polysaccharide?

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A polysaccharide is a complex carbohydrate composed of long chains of monosaccharide units, such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Front

How do the number of hydrogen atoms compare to the number of oxygen atoms in carbohydrates?

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In carbohydrates, there are typically twice as many hydrogen atoms as there are oxygen atoms.

Front

What is the role of carbohydrates in living organisms?

Back

Carbohydrates serve as a primary source of energy, provide structural support in cells, and play a role in cell recognition and signaling.

Front

What is the difference between simple sugars and complex carbohydrates?

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Simple sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides) are quickly absorbed and provide immediate energy, while complex carbohydrates (polysaccharides) take longer to digest and provide sustained energy.

Front

What is the process of forming a disaccharide from monosaccharides?

Back

The process of forming a disaccharide from monosaccharides is called dehydration synthesis, where a water molecule is removed to bond the two sugar molecules.