Carbs & Lipids Also Known As… The stuff that tastes so good but don’t help much with your looks.

Carbohydrates Also Known As… The arch nemesis of Dr. Atkins and his army of bread and cereal haters!

Carbs – Basic Info We think of carbs as the body’s primary source of energy but they can also act as structural components of cells as well as cell surface markers. We think of carbs as the body’s primary source of energy but they can also act as structural components of cells as well as cell surface markers. Carbs are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Carbs are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. They are categorized into three groups: They are categorized into three groups: Monosaccharides – One sugar unit. Monosaccharides – One sugar unit. Disaccharides – Two sugar units bonded together. Disaccharides – Two sugar units bonded together. Polysaccharides – Many sugar units bonded together. Polysaccharides – Many sugar units bonded together. Carbs are made originally as straight chains by plants and then assume their ring structures when they are immersed in the water of the cell. Carbs are made originally as straight chains by plants and then assume their ring structures when they are immersed in the water of the cell.

Monosaccharides Monosaccharides are single sugar units. Monosaccharides are single sugar units. The most common (and important) one is glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) which is the main product of photosynthesis and the main fuel for cellular respiration. The most common (and important) one is glucose (C 6 H 12 O 6 ) which is the main product of photosynthesis and the main fuel for cellular respiration. Other common monosaccharides include galactose and fructose which are isomers of glucose – same formula with a different structural arrangement. Other common monosaccharides include galactose and fructose which are isomers of glucose – same formula with a different structural arrangement.

Monosaccharides

Disaccharides Disaccharides are sugars composed of two monosaccharides bonded together by a dehydration synthesis reaction to form glycosidic linkages. Disaccharides are sugars composed of two monosaccharides bonded together by a dehydration synthesis reaction to form glycosidic linkages. Common disaccharides include: Common disaccharides include: Maltose = Glucose + Glucose Maltose = Glucose + Glucose Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose Sucrose = Glucose + Fructose Lactose = Glucose + Galactose Lactose = Glucose + Galactose Both mono & disaccharides are called “sugars” because they are smaller and taste sweet. Both mono & disaccharides are called “sugars” because they are smaller and taste sweet. Another term, oligosaccharides is used to describes carbs made of two or three simple sugars bonded. Another term, oligosaccharides is used to describes carbs made of two or three simple sugars bonded.

Disaccharide Formation

Polysaccharides Polysaccharides are very large polymers made of many monosaccharides linked together. Polysaccharides are very large polymers made of many monosaccharides linked together. The bonds can be identified by using the numbers of the carbons that are joined by the bond. (Example: 1-4 & 1-6 linkages.) The bonds can be identified by using the numbers of the carbons that are joined by the bond. (Example: 1-4 & 1-6 linkages.) Polysaccharides are used for both energy and structural purposes. Polysaccharides are used for both energy and structural purposes.

Common Polysaccharides Starch = Energy storage molecule of plants. Starch = Energy storage molecule of plants. Cellulose = Structural component of plant cell wall. Cellulose = Structural component of plant cell wall. Glycogen = Energy storage molecule of animals. Glycogen = Energy storage molecule of animals. Chitin = Structural component of animal cell wall. (Example would be a lobster) Chitin = Structural component of animal cell wall. (Example would be a lobster) Starch can be linear (amylose) and branched (amylopectin). (Due to 1-4 or 1-6 linkages) Starch can be linear (amylose) and branched (amylopectin). (Due to 1-4 or 1-6 linkages)

Lipids Also Known As… Fat… Yeah that’s it – just fat. That’s all I got.

Lipids – Basic Info Lipids have several functions within the body: Lipids have several functions within the body: Energy storage – secondary source of energy. Energy storage – secondary source of energy. Cell Membranes – Phospholipid bilayer. Cell Membranes – Phospholipid bilayer. Hormones & Steroids – Chemical regulation of the body. Hormones & Steroids – Chemical regulation of the body. Protection & Insulation of Organs – Brain and Kidneys can tell you all about this. Protection & Insulation of Organs – Brain and Kidneys can tell you all about this. Vitamins storage – there are fat-soluble vitamins that only stay within the fat of the body. Vitamins storage – there are fat-soluble vitamins that only stay within the fat of the body. Lipids contain C, H & O, just like the carbs, but with no specific ratio. Lipids contain C, H & O, just like the carbs, but with no specific ratio.

The Fatty Acid Lipids do not have a true monomer  polymer relationship. The fatty acid is the closest thing that lipids do have to a monomer is the fatty acid. Lipids do not have a true monomer  polymer relationship. The fatty acid is the closest thing that lipids do have to a monomer is the fatty acid. Fatty Acid = Carboxyl group + Hydrocarbon tail. Fatty Acid = Carboxyl group + Hydrocarbon tail. Fatty acids can be categorized as saturated or unsaturated fatty acids based on the make-up of the hydrocarbon tail. Fatty acids can be categorized as saturated or unsaturated fatty acids based on the make-up of the hydrocarbon tail. Saturated Fatty Acids = All single bonds between carbons in the hydrocarbon tail. Saturated Fatty Acids = All single bonds between carbons in the hydrocarbon tail. Unsaturated Fatty Acids = At least one double or single bond between carbons in the hydrocarbon tail. Unsaturated Fatty Acids = At least one double or single bond between carbons in the hydrocarbon tail. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids = Multiple double or triple bonds in their hydrocarbon tails. Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids = Multiple double or triple bonds in their hydrocarbon tails.

Fatty Acid Structure

Triglycerides Triglycerides are the “fat” we talk about when we talk about foods being full of fat. Triglycerides are the “fat” we talk about when we talk about foods being full of fat. Triglycerides = Glycerol + 3 Fatty Acids Triglycerides = Glycerol + 3 Fatty Acids Glycerol is a 3-carbon molecule that acts as the backbone of the triglyceride. Glycerol is a 3-carbon molecule that acts as the backbone of the triglyceride. Triglycerides can be saturated, unsaturated or polyunsaturated based on the types of fatty acids that attach to the glycerol molecule. Triglycerides can be saturated, unsaturated or polyunsaturated based on the types of fatty acids that attach to the glycerol molecule.

Triglyceride Formation

Phospholipids Phospholipids are very similar to triglycerides in that they involve glycerol and fatty acids. Phospholipids are very similar to triglycerides in that they involve glycerol and fatty acids. A phospholipid is formed when one of the triglycerides on the triglyceride is replaced by a phosphate group. A phospholipid is formed when one of the triglycerides on the triglyceride is replaced by a phosphate group. Phospholipids are a major component of the cell membrane. Phospholipids are a major component of the cell membrane.

Phospholipids

Steroids Steroids are a group of lipids that act as hormones – molecules that are made in one area of the body and work in another. Steroids are a group of lipids that act as hormones – molecules that are made in one area of the body and work in another. Steroids have a characteristic shape that is made of 17 carbons and four rings. Steroids have a characteristic shape that is made of 17 carbons and four rings. Steroids have different functional groups and side-chains that make them unique and give them their different properties. Steroids have different functional groups and side-chains that make them unique and give them their different properties. Examples of steroids are cholesterol, testosterone and estrogen. Examples of steroids are cholesterol, testosterone and estrogen.

Steroid Abuse Many young people contemplate taking steroids to give them the edge – maybe make them stand out from the crowd. Many young people contemplate taking steroids to give them the edge – maybe make them stand out from the crowd. This is not always a good idea – you may stand out but not always in a good way. This is not always a good idea – you may stand out but not always in a good way.

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