Carbohydrates: Structure, Function, and Classification

Front

What are carbohydrates and their primary function in living organisms?

Back

Carbohydrates are organic compounds that serve as a source of metabolic energy and are involved in forming important molecules and structures.

Front

What are the two main types of simple carbohydrates?

Back

Monosaccharides and disaccharides.

Front

What is the molecular formula for glucose, and how can it be represented as a hydrate of carbon?

Back

Glucose has the molecular formula C6H12O6, which can be represented as C6(H2O)6.

Front

What are polysaccharides and give two examples?

Back

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of long chains of monosaccharides. Examples include starch and cellulose.

Front

What is the difference between reducing and non-reducing sugars?

Back

Reducing sugars can act as reducing agents due to their free aldehyde or ketone groups, while non-reducing sugars do not have these groups and do not react in reduction tests.

Front

What is the significance of glycosidic linkages in carbohydrates?

Back

Glycosidic linkages are bonds that connect monosaccharides in disaccharides and polysaccharides, forming the structure of carbohydrates.

Front

What are the two types of polysaccharides based on their monosaccharide composition?

Back

Homopolysaccharides, which consist of one type of monosaccharide, and heteropolysaccharides, which consist of more than one type.

Front

What is the role of starch in plants?

Back

Starch serves as an energy storage polysaccharide in plants.

Front

What is the primary sugar found in milk?

Back

Lactose is the principal sugar present in milk.

Front

What is the process of hydrolysis in relation to disaccharides?

Back

Hydrolysis of disaccharides involves breaking them down into two monosaccharides, often with the addition of water.