Carbohydrates - Biological Molecules

Carbohydrates - [Biological Molecules]

• Carbohydrates are organic molecules existing in living organisms, most typically known structures are; Sugars, Starch and Cellulose.
• They serve multiple functions:
• > Intermediates in respiration
• > Energy Storage
• > Structural
• > Transport
• > Recognition of molecules outside cell surface
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• Bildunterschrift: Molecular diagram of D - glucose (isomer)

Monosaccharides & Glucose Structure

• Monosaccharides have the general formula: (CH20)n
• - Pentose sugars: used in the synthesis of nucleic acids
• - Hexose sugars: used as main energy source / structural support
• > Glucose is a form of hexose structure (C6H1206)
• - major energy source for most cells
• - high solubility; effects osmosis/osmotic pressure, can be transported through some membranes
• - exists in two common isomers ( different spatial arrangement): alpha / beta - glucose
• Click here to watch Khan, from Khan Academy explain the simple glucose structure.
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• Bildunterschrift: (C) Alpha - Glucose & (D) Beta - Glucose; notice how the hydroxyl groups are switched around in both isomers. This is of later importance when looking at the structural functions of carbohydrates.