BiochemistryLesson 2 of 5 in the course Biological Macromolecules

Carbohydrates: Sugar Structures, Polysaccharides, and Nutrition

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Carbohydrates are macromolecules that include simple sugars and large sugar polymers. Their structures help explain how they provide energy and how smaller sugar units can join to form larger molecules.

The general stoichiometric formula for many carbohydrates is (CH2O)n(CH_2O)_n, where nn represents the number of carbon atoms. This corresponds to a carbon-to-hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio of 1:2:1. The word carbohydrate reflects the presence of carbon and the elements found in water.

All flashcards

What is the general carbohydrate formula and what ratio does it indicate?
Many carbohydrates have the general formula (CH2O)n(CH_2O)_n. It indicates a carbon-to-hydrogen-to-oxygen ratio of 1:2:1.
What distinguishes an aldose from a ketose?
An aldose contains an aldehyde group, while a ketose contains a ketone group. Glucose is an aldose and fructose is a ketose.
What is a monosaccharide?
A monosaccharide is a single, simple sugar unit. It can serve as a building block for disaccharides and polysaccharides.
How are alpha and beta glucose forms distinguished in a ring?
They differ in the position of the hydroxyl group attached to the anomeric carbon: below the ring plane is alpha, and above it is beta.
What are the components of lactose, maltose, and sucrose?
Lactose is glucose plus galactose; maltose is two glucose units; sucrose is glucose plus fructose.

Quiz questions

  1. Which glycosidic linkage pattern characterizes amylose?Answer: Alpha-1,4 linkages along mostly unbranched chains
  2. What does glycogenolysis describe?Answer: Breakdown of glycogen to release glucose
  3. Why does cellulose provide plant cell walls with strength?Answer: Its chains pack tightly and have high tensile strength
  4. Which description of chitin is accurate?Answer: A nitrogen-containing polymer in arthropod exoskeletons and fungal walls
  5. How does glucose support cellular respiration?Answer: Energy released from it helps cells produce ATP

Based on Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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