Carbohydrates pages 277, 282 additional pages sited will be listed.

Carbohydrates Provides the body with energy. Source of glucose and are building blocks for other nutrients. Divided into simple and complex carbohydrates. Excess glucose can be converted to fat.

Sugars Glucose Fructose Galactose Ribose Simple sugars: monosaccharide (one sugar molecule) Glucose Fructose Galactose Ribose

Cont: Sugars Sucrose: glucose and fructose-sugar cane Disaccharide: (two sugar molecules) Sucrose: glucose and fructose-sugar cane Maltose: glucose and glucose-starchy plants Lactose: glucose and galactose-milk Multiple sugars can bond and link to form complex sugar polymers. Polymerized sugars include starch and fiber.

Functions of Carbohydrates Ultimate source of energy Source of heat Building blocks for other nutrients Storage in body by converting into adipose tissue or glycogen

Digestion of Carbohydrates Carbs must be broken down to monosaccharides for absorption from the G.I. tract or are utilized directly by the body as energy. Monosaccharides travel in the blood to the liver where they are converted to glycogen or fat for storage.

Glycogen Glycogen is broken down when the blood glucose drops below the normal range. Glucose levels drop between meals as a result of insulin secretion. Glycogen is an animal specific starch and can quickly depolymerize into units of glucose. Glycogen is mostly stored in the liver muscle tissue and can be rapidly turned into glucose to supply immediate demand.

Fiber : pg 283 Many complex carbohydrates found in plant material are not easily digestible or used for energy. They are subdivided into soluble and insoluble Unlike starches, fiber is not digested in the stomach or small intestine. Once it enters the large intestine, it is excreted with the feces.

The Functions of Fiber page 283 Fiber is different from starch in that most mammals cannot digest it. However, fermentation of fiber does occur in the large intestine of some simple- stomached animals. The primary function of fiber is to increase bulk and water content. Fiber tends to decrease a diet’s digestibility and caloric density. Fiber is therefore useful in the treatment of obesity or management of gastrointestinal disorders. (Fills the stomach up without caloric intake.)

Cont. Fiber Function Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by extending the time that nutrients are absorbed in the diabetic animal. In most animals fiber assists in the regulation of bowel formation. It helps to loosen-up stool. It also plays an important role in maintaining normal colonic function by decreasing pathogenic intestinal bacteria and may play a part in preventing intestinal cancer.

Fiber and Ruminants Ruminants have bacteria and protozoan microbes that can degrade fiber in the rumen, cecum and large intestine. Fiber is a major energy source for grazing animals.

Page 283 table 9.7 There are approximately 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate