Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates contain the elements C, H and O
• Carbohydrates are mainly used as an energy source for cellular respiration
• Sugars are relatively small carbohydrate molecules
• A single molecule of sugar is called a monosaccharide or simple sugars
• Double sugar molecules are called disaccharides or double sugars
• Examples of monosaccharides are glucose, fructose and galactose
• Examples of disaccharides are sucrose and lactose.
• Polysaccharides are long chains (polymers) of simple sugars
• Sugars are water soluble and most are sweet
• Polysaccharides are not sweet and do not dissolve in water
• An example of a polysaccharide is starch
• Foods rich in starch are cereal based foods such as bread
• Foods rich in sugars include cakes and lollies