Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of multiple monosaccharide units linked together through glycosidic bonds. These macromolecules can vary in size and structure, ranging from a few hundred to thousands of monosaccharide residues. Common examples of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Polysaccharides serve various functions in living organisms, such as …
Disaccharides: structure of maltose, lactose, and sucrose
Disaccharides, a type of carbohydrate, consist of two monosaccharide units linked together by a glycosidic bond. Monosaccharides, the building blocks for disaccharides, undergo a condensation reaction to form a disaccharide, eliminating a water molecule as the two monosaccharide units join together. Maltose Maltose is a disaccharide, a type of carbohydrate …
Monosaccharides: Structure of glucose, fructose, and galactose
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, often called single sugars. They are the basic building blocks of more complex carbohydrates. Monosaccharides consist of a single sugar unit and cannot be further hydrolyzed to simpler compounds. The most common monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose, each with a specific molecular …
Carbohydrates: Definition, Classification, chemical properties
Carbohydrates are organic compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically with a hydrogen-oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 (as in water). They serve as a primary energy source for living organisms and play essential structural and functional roles in cells. Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fibers and can be classified …
Biological role of carbohydrates
Carbohydrates play crucial biological roles in living organisms, serving as essential macromolecules with diverse functions. Some key biological roles of carbohydrates include: 1. Energy Source Glucose Metabolism: Carbohydrates, especially glucose, are a primary energy source for cellular processes through glycolysis and cellular respiration. Energy Storage: Excess glucose is converted into …
Chemical Nature of Glycogen
1. Composition Monomers: Glycogen is a polysaccharide composed of glucose monomers. Linkages: It consists of α-D-glucose units linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds (linear chains) and α-1,6-glycosidic bonds (branch points). 2. Structure Linear Chains: The main structure of glycogen consists of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Branching: Branch …
Chemical Nature of Starch
1. Composition Monomers: Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose monomers. Types: It consists of two glucose polymers: amylose and amylopectin. 2. Amylose Structure: Amylose is a linear chain of α-D-glucose molecules linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Properties: It forms a helical structure due to the arrangement of glucose units. Solubility: …
Polysaccharides – Definition, Classification
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of multiple monosaccharide units linked together through glycosidic bonds. These macromolecules can vary in size and structure, ranging from a few hundred to thousands of monosaccharide residues. Common examples of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Polysaccharides serve various functions in living organisms, such as …
Sucrose – Definition, Structure
Sucrose, a disaccharide and a type of carbohydrate, comprises one molecule of glucose and one molecule of fructose linked together by an α,β-1,2-glycosidic bond. Sucrose, widely known as table sugar, is the most extensively consumed sugar by humans and is prevalent in many plants. In its crystalline form, sucrose is …