Structural and Functional Properties of Carbohydrates
Structural and functional properties of carbohydrates pdf materials typically begin with monosaccharides - the simplest carbohydrate units. These molecules contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio. The structure of carbohydrates varies from simple sugars to complex polysaccharides.
Definition: Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, serving as primary energy sources and structural components in living organisms.
The classification of carbohydrates includes three main categories: monosaccharides singlesugars, disaccharides doublesugars, and polysaccharides multiplesugarunits. Monosaccharides are classified based on their carbon content: trioses 3carbons, pentoses 5carbons, and hexoses 6carbons. Glucose, a hexose sugar, is particularly important as the primary energy source for cellular respiration.
Disaccharides form through condensation reactions between two monosaccharides, creating a glycosidic bond. Common examples include sucrose tablesugar, lactose milksugar, and maltose maltsugar. Each serves specific biological functions - for instance, lactose provides energy in mammalian milk, while sucrose is the main form of sugar transport in plants.