Biochemistry: Carbohydrates

Carbon’s Unique Characteristics • How many valence electrons does carbon have?

• How many other atoms can each carbon atom covalently bond with?

Monomers & Polymers

Monomer: Small molecules used as a sub-unit of polymers

Polymer: Large molecules of 3-millions of monomers of the same or different kinds

Condensation Reaction

• Enzymes split an OH from one molecule & an H atom from another & a covalent bond forms.

Hydrolysis• A cleavage reaction where enzymes split

molecules at specific groups, then attach one OH group and an H atom from a water molecule.

Five Sense Biochemistry

Crave thy Carbohydrates

What is the PURPOSE of carbohydrates in our diet?

• Energy• Structure• Energy Transport• Energy Storage

Carbohydrate Chemistry

Main Elements: Carbon, hydrogen & oxygen

The Standard Ratio is 1:2:1 or (CH2O)n

Class of Carbohydrate: Monosaccharide

Simple carbohydrates

Single carbon ring (monomer)

Examples: Glucose, galactose, fructose, ribose, & deoxyribose

Class of Carbohydrate: Oligosaccharide

A short chain of covalently bonded monosaccharides. Often used as transport sugarsExamples: Sucrose, lactose & maltose

Class of Carbohydrate: Polysaccharide

Complex carbohydrates, straight or branched chains of MANY sugar monomers.

PolysaccharidesCellulose: Structural component in plant cells

Polysaccharide Starch: Energy storage molecule in plants

Polysaccharide— Glycogen: Sugar storage molecule in animals (muscles & liver)

PolysaccharideChitin: External skeleton component of

many animals