Carbohydrates

Semester 2-
Biochemistry
notes



Week 1: Monosaccharides
Part 1
Carbohydrate Structure & Function

, What are carbohydrates?
 The most abundant biomolecules on earth
 Initially synthesized in plants from a complex series of reactions involving
photosynthesis
 So called because the glucose was thought to be a hydrated form of carbon C 6(H20)6
 Have the general formula (CH20)n or Cn(H20)n or CnH2nOn [where n≥3]
- Same number of Carbons & Oxygens but double the amount of Hydrogens.


- Carbohydrates are abundant as they are found in plants. Mammals, bacteria, fungi.
- Glucose (a popular carbohydrate) is produced by plants, through photosynthesis.
- When glucose was first purified, it was determined that it contained C6 O6 H12.
- The name carbohydrate means "watered carbon" or carbon with attached water
molecules.


What are carbohydrates’ functions?
 Storage of energy
 Structural
 Specialised roles when modified or complexed with other macromolecules
(glycoproteins, glycolipids


- Functions include energy storage, structural definitely & protection against
desiccations.
- Larger carbohydrates have a specialised role.
- Carbohydrates can be associated with other macromolecules. Examples are
glycolipids and glycoproteins.


Content
 Simple carbohydrates
 Linkages
 Carbohydrate polymers
 Modified/specialised carbohydrates.


Types of unmodified carbohydrates
 Monosaccharides - simple sugars
- Simplest building block of carbohydrates.