Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic molecules in nature. Carbohydrates May be defined as poly hydroxy aldehydes or ketones compounds which produce them on hydrolysis. Composed of Carbon, Hydrogen and oxygen.
Classification Of Carbohydrates
- Monosacchrides
- oligosaccharides
- Polysaccharides
Monosacchardies
- These are the simplest group of carbohydrate
- Referred to as simple sugar
- Can’t further Hydrolyzed
examples– Glucose , Fructose , Galactose
Glucose — also called as dextrose
Fructose — This sugar found in Fruits ‚honey and vegetables
Galactose — Main dietary source of galactose is lactose from milk
Oligosaccharides
Contain 2–10 Monosacchardies molecules
joined by glycosidic bond
They are divided as 1. disachardie
2. Trisaccharide
3. Tetrasaccharide etc..
Disaccharide — Composed of 2 Monosacchardies units . joined by glycosidic linkage.
ex — Sucrose. = Glucose+ Fructose
Lactose. = Glucose + Galactose
Maltose. = Glucose + Glucose
Polysaccharides
- Made up of more than 10 units of Monosacchardies
- usually tasteless (Non sugar)
- Not soluble in water
Subdivided into 2 types
1. Homo polysaccharide - Made up same molecule of mono saccharides
ex. Starch, cellulose and glycogen
2. Hetero polysaccharide - Made up of different molecule of mono saccharides
ex. Heparin and Mucopolysaccharide.
Functions of Carbohydrates
- Major Source of energy
- precursors for many organic compounds
- Participate in the structure of cell membrane and cellular function
- Also serve as the storage form of energy
- Constitute of glycoproteins, glycolipids