Carbohydrates: structure and function

• What is the chemical formula for ribose?

  C5H10O5
• In what forms does ribose exist?

  Open chain and cyclic forms
• How are carbohydrates classified?

  Based on the number of sugar units
• What are the main components of RNA?

  • Ribose sugar
  • Phosphate groups
  • Nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil)
• What is the relationship between the number of sugar units and the classification of carbohydrates?

  More units lead to higher classifications
• Why are carbohydrates important for our bodies?

  They are vital energy sources
• What are the main functions of carbohydrates in living organisms?

  • Energy storage (as glucose and starches)
  • Structural components (cellulose in plants)
  • Cell signaling (markers on cell surfaces)
  • Component of RNA (ribose)
• How many sugar units are in oligosaccharides?

  2 to 10 sugar units
• What structural role do carbohydrates play in plants?

  They provide rigidity and support
• What are carbohydrates made of?


  Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• What type of reaction forms disaccharides from monosaccharides?

  Condensation reaction
• What are the classes of carbohydrates based on structure?

  • Monosaccharides: 1 unit (e.g., Glucose, Fructose)
  • Disaccharides: 2 units (e.g., Sucrose, Lactose)
  • Oligosaccharides: 2-10 units (e.g., Raffinose)
  • Polysaccharides: 10+ units (e.g., Starch, Cellulose)
• What type of chemical reaction is shown in the conversion from monosaccharide subunits to the disaccharide?

  Condensation reaction
• What are the two monosaccharide subunits shown in the image?

  CH2OH and OH
• What distinguishes monosaccharides from disaccharides?

  Monosaccharides have 1 unit, disaccharides have 2
• What is another common carbohydrate found in potatoes?

  Starch
• What is the role of ribose in RNA?

  Ribose is the sugar component of RNA
• How do carbohydrates facilitate cell communication?

  By acting as markers on cell surfaces
• What are the two main components shown in the image?

  • Monosaccharide subunits
  • Disaccharide
• What are the main functions of carbohydrates in living organisms?

  • Provide energy sources
  • Serve as structural components in plants
• What is the process of forming polysaccharides from monosaccharides?

  • Monosaccharides join through condensation reactions
  • Glycosidic bonds form between them
  • Water molecules are released
  • This process can repeat to form long chains
  • Resulting in polysaccharides like starch or cellulose
• What is ribose's chemical formula?

  $C_{5}H_{10}O_{5}$
• What is the difference between monosaccharides and disaccharides?

  Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules, while disaccharides are two sugar molecules
• How does the presence of the glycosidic linkage affect the chemical and physical properties of the disaccharide compared to the monosaccharide subunits?

  The glycosidic linkage makes the disaccharide more stable and resistant to hydrolysis
• What is the significance of the glycosidic linkage in the disaccharide structure?

  The glycosidic linkage:

  • Connects the monosaccharide subunits
  • Allows for the formation of more complex carbohydrate structures
  • Plays a role in the biological functions and properties of the disaccharide
• What carbohydrate is found in plant cell walls?

  Cellulose
• Why is ribose essential for living organisms?

  It is essential for genetic information processing
• What are the properties of monosaccharides?

  • Carbon atoms form a chain
  • Hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to most carbons
  • Oxygen atom double bonded to one carbon
• If a carbohydrate has ten or more sugar molecules, what type of carbohydrate is it?

  Polysaccharide
• What role do carbohydrates play in plants?

  They serve as structural components
• How do carbohydrates store energy in the body?


  As sugars like glucose and starches
• How do the structures of starch and cellulose differ, and how does this affect their functions?

  Starch is a storage polysaccharide in plants, while cellulose is a structural polysaccharide in plant cell walls. The difference in their structures leads to starch being digestible by humans but cellulose not being digestible.
• What carbohydrate is stored in muscles for energy?

  Glycogen
• What bond is formed when two monosaccharides join?

  Glycosidic bond
• What is the purpose of the glycosidic linkage shown in the disaccharide?

  The glycosidic linkage connects the monosaccharide subunits to form the disaccharide.
• What is released during the formation of a disaccharide?

  A water molecule
• How does the structure of the disaccharide differ from the monosaccharide subunits?

  • The disaccharide has an additional glycosidic linkage connecting the monosaccharide subunits.
  • The disaccharide has one less hydroxyl (OH) group compared to the two monosaccharide subunits.
• How many sugar units are in polysaccharides?

  More than 10 sugar units
• What is the sugar found in ribonucleic acid (RNA)?

  Ribose
• What are the four main types of carbohydrates?

  Monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides