Carbohydrates: Your Body's Fuel
Carbohydrates are your cells' favourite energy source, made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They come in three main sizes: monosaccharides (single sugars), disaccharides (double sugars), and polysaccharides (many sugars joined together).
Glucose is the superstar monosaccharide - it's what your cells use for respiration. It exists in two forms: alpha glucose and beta glucose, which differ slightly in their structure. These glucose molecules join via glycosidic bonds formed through condensation reactions.
Common disaccharides include maltose (two glucose units), sucrose glucose+fructose, and lactose glucose+galactose. When many glucose molecules link up, you get polysaccharides like glycogen, starch, and cellulose.
Glycogen is your body's main glucose storage system. Its branched structure means glucose can be released rapidly when your cells need energy - pretty clever design for keeping you going between meals!
Key Tip: Alpha glucose forms storage molecules (starch, glycogen) whilst beta glucose forms structural molecules (cellulose).