Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates
 Include sugars and starches

 Carbohydrates always contain C, H and O in a

1:2:1 ratio.
• General Formula: (CH2O)n

 Store energy so it is easily accessible to the

body
 Carbohydrates
 Primary functional groups:
• Hydroxyl
• Carbonyl

α-glucose
 Most carbohydrates are
polar and dissolve in water.

 Glucose in water
β-glucose
 Monosaccharides
 Carbohydrates with 3-7 carbon atoms are
monosaccharides
 Many monosaccharides have the same
chemical formula, but a different structure and
are known as isomers.
 Disaccharides
 Disaccharides form when two monomers join
through a covalent bond known as a glycosidic
linkage.
 Polysaccharides
 Many monosaccharides can join by glycosidic
linkages to form a polysaccharide.

 Common polysaccharides of glucose include

starch, glycogen and cellulose
 Starch

 Short-term energy storage in plants

 Glycogen
 Highly branched, short-term energy-storage in
animals
 Breaks down faster
 Cellulose
 Structural support in plant cell walls
 Can’t be broken down by animals