CARBOHYDRATES (CH2O)n © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Organization Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides 5C pentoses (eg ribose, deoxyribose) 6C hexoses (eg glucose, fructose, galactose) GLUCOSE CH2OH C H OH O RIBOSE OH H CH2OH C O © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Glycoside linkage to form disaccharides The two sugars are joined by condensation and may be broken by hydrolysis CH2OH C H OH O © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
CH2OH C H OH O + H2O © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Different monosaccharides can be used sucrose = glucose-fructose lactose = glucose-galactose maltose = glucose-glucose © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Polysaccharides Macromolecules Common ones based upon glucose Branched polysaccharides Amylose & amylopectin (starches) are synthesised in plants. Glycogen is synthesised in animals, more highly branched than starches = more compact Unbranched polysaccharides Cellulose in plant cell walls © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
CARBOHYDRATE FUNCTIONS Sugars (mono and disaccharides) small molecules soluble in water: Maintenance of osmotic balance (e.g. plant cell turgidity); transport of energy reserves (e.g. glucose in blood or sucrose in sap); energy substrate (respiration and photosynthesis); energy store (sugar cane); flavouring (fruits); reward (nectar); precursors (building blocks) of polysaccharides, nucleotides and amino acids © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
CARBOHYDRATE FUNCTIONS Polysaccharides Large molecules insoluble in water: Osmotically inactive carbohydrate storage, (seeds, roots, chloroplasts) Structural (cellulose in plants). © 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS