Structure and function of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio (CH2O)n. They are made of saccharide units (sugars).

Monosaccharides have the basic structure of single saccharide examples are: Glucose

• main substrate for respiartion
• Soluble, osmotic effect

Galactose

• Soluble, osmotic effect

Fructose

• 'Fruit Sugar'
• Soluble, osmotic effect

Disaccharides are two saccharides for example;

Sucrose

• Glucose and Fructose
• Main transport sugar in plants
• Slouble

Lactose

• 'milk' sugar
• Glucose and Galactose
• Soluble

Maltose

• Glucose and glucose
• Soluble

Polysaccharides are made up of many saccharides there are three different types:

Poly-unbranced- Amylose

• Found in starch - energy storage molecules in plants
• α-glucose molecules are in tight spirals so this makes them compact
• Insoluble so no osmotic effect

Poly-branced- Amylopectin

• Found in starch - energy storage molecules in plants
• branched chains of α-glucose molecules, there are many ends so its easier to digest more rapidly than amylose
• Insoluble so no osmotic effect

Poly-branched- Glycogen

• Energy storage molecule in animals, bacteria and fungi
• branched chains of glucose molecules
• compact, insoluble and no osmotic effect.