Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates only contain the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. They provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose
• Carbohydrates have the formula (CH2O)n where the number of carbons is they type of sugar they are. EG 5 carbons = Pentose sugar
• Disaccharies are formed when two monosaccharies are joined together by a glycosidic bond. This is a condensation reaction which involves the removal of a molecule of water.
• Lactose - Disaccharide containing alpha glucose and galactose.
• Lactose has a 1,4 glycosidic bond.
• Sucrose- A disaccharide made from alpha glucose and fructose
• Sucrose has an alpha 1,2 glycosidic bond.
• Amylose and amylopectin are components of starch and polysaccharides.
• Amylopectin is branched with 1,6 bonds as it increases metabolic rate as hydrolysis can occur more easily
• Cells get their energy from glucose. Plants store excess glucose as starch.
• The cellulose chains are linked together by hydrogen bonds to form strong fibres called cellulose microfibrils.
• Cellulose is made of beta glucose.
• Because of cellulose microfibrils, the tensile strength of cellulose provides structural support for cells and prevents plant cells from bursting - even under very high water pressure.
• Maltose is made of 2 alpha glucose
• B-Glactosidase breaks down the glycosidic bond in lactose.