Contents:
Definition:
Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The basic building blocks of carbohydrates are sugar molecules, which can be simple sugars (monosaccharides) or chains of sugars (polysaccharides).
Types of Carbohydrates:
1. Monosaccharides:
- Simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and galactose.
- Easily absorbed by the body and serve as a quick source of energy.
2. Disaccharides:
- Composed of two monosaccharide units.
- Examples include sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose), and maltose (glucose + glucose).
3. Polysaccharides:
- Complex carbohydrates made up of long chains of monosaccharides.
- Examples include starch (found in plants), glycogen (stored in the liver and muscles), and cellulose (a component of plant cell walls).
Functions of Carbohydrates:
1. Energy Source:
- The primary role of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body’s various functions.
- Glucose, a monosaccharide, is particularly important as it is a key fuel for cellular activities.
2. Storage of Energy:
- Excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles for later use.
- When energy is needed, glycogen is broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream.
3. Cellular Structure:
- Carbohydrates are integral components of cell membranes and play a role in maintaining cell structure and integrity.
4. Protein Sparing:
- When carbohydrates are available, they spare proteins from being used as an energy source, allowing proteins to fulfill their primary roles in building and repairing tissues.
Dietary Recommendations:
1. Complex vs. Simple Carbohydrates:
- Emphasis is often placed on consuming complex carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables) over simple carbohydrates (sugars, refined grains) for sustained energy and nutritional benefits.
2. Fiber:
- A type of complex carbohydrate that is not fully digested by the body.
- Important for digestive health, it adds bulk to the diet, aids in digestion, and helps prevent constipation.
Impact on Health:
1. Blood Sugar Control:
- The type and quality of carbohydrates consumed can impact blood sugar levels.
- High-fiber, complex carbohydrates are generally associated with better blood sugar control.
2. Weight Management:
- Balancing carbohydrate intake with other macronutrients is crucial for weight management and overall health.
Multiple Choice Questions On Carbohydrates
1. Which of the following is the simplest form of carbohydrates?
- (A) Carboxyl groups
- (B) Aldehyde and Ketone groups
- (C) Alcohol and Carboxyl groups
- (D) Hydroxyl groups and Hydrogen groups
2. Which of the following monosaccharides is the majority found in the human body?
- (A) D-type
- (B) L-type
- (C) LD-types
- (D) None of the above
3. Which of the following is the most abundant biomolecule on the earth?
- (A) Lipids
- (B) Proteins
- (C) Carbohydrates
- (D) Nucleic acids
4. Which of the following are the major functions of Carbohydrates?
- (A) Storage
- (B) Structural framework
- (C) Transport Materials
- (D) Both Storage and structural framework
5. Which of the following is the general formula of Carbohydrates?
- (A) (C4H2O)n
- (B) (C6H2O)n
- (C) (CH2O)n
- (D) (C2H2O)n COOH
6. Which of the following is the smallest carbohydrate – triose?
- (A) Ribose
- (B) Glucose
- (C) Glyceraldehyde
- (D) Dihydroxyacetone
7. Which of the following is a reducing sugar?
- (A) Dihydroxyacetone
- (B) Erythrulose
- (C) Glucose
- (D) All of the above
8. Which of the following is an example of Epimers?
- (A) Glucose and Ribose
- (B) Glucose and Galactose
- (C) Galactose, Mannose and Glucose
- (D) Glucose, Ribose and Mannose
9. Which of the following has reducing properties?
- (A) Mucic acid
- (B) Glucaric acid
- (C) Gluconic acid
- (D) Glucuronic acid
10. Molisch test is used for _________.
- (A) Lipids
- (B) Proteins
- (C) Mucoproteins
- (D) Flavoproteins
11. What is Turanose?
- (A) 7-methyl sugar
- (B) A deoxy sugars
- (C) Non-reducing disaccharide
- (D) Reducing disaccharides of glucose and fructose
12. Which of the following does not have sulphuric acid groups?
- (A) Heparin
- (B) Kerato sulfate
- (C) Hyaluronic acid
- (D) Chondroitin sulfate
13. Digitonin is a _________.
- (A) Lipid
- (B) Protein
- (C) Glycoside
- (D) Alkaloid
14. Which of the following is the simplest carbohydrate?
- (A) Gulose
- (B) Glucose
- (C) Dihydroxyacetone
- (D) Glyceraldehyde
15. Which of the following Biomolecules simply refers to as “Staff of life”?
- (A) Lipids
- (B) Proteins
- (C) Vitamins
- (D) Carbohydrates
16. Which of the following is a monosaccharide?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Sucrose
- (C) Lactose
- (D) Maltose
17. Which of the following is a disaccharide?
- (A) Fructose
- (B) Galactose
- (C) Lactose
- (D) Glucose
18. What is the main function of carbohydrates in the body?
- (A) Provide energy
- (B) Build muscle
- (C) Aid digestion
- (D) Regulate blood pressure
19. Which carbohydrate is known as table sugar?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Fructose
- (C) Sucrose
- (D) Lactose
20. Which carbohydrate is known as milk sugar?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Fructose
- (C) Sucrose
- (D) Lactose
21 Which carbohydrate is known as fruit sugar?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Fructose
- (C) Sucrose
- (D) Lactose
22. What is the process of breaking down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars called?
- (A) Hydrolysis
- (B) Dehydration synthesis
- (C) Oxidation
- (D) Reduction
23. Which of the following is a polysaccharide?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Fructose
- (C) Sucrose
- (D) Starch
24. Which of the following is a storage form of glucose in animals?
- (A) Starch
- (B) Glycogen
- (C) Cellulose
- (D) Chitin
25. Which of the following is a storage form of glucose in plants?
- (A) Starch
- (B) Glycogen
- (C) Cellulose
- (D) Chitin
26. Which of the following is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants?
- (A) Starch
- (B) Glycogen
- (C) Cellulose
- (D) Chitin
27. Which of the following is a structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of insects?
- (A) Starch
- (B) Glycogen
- (C) Cellulose
- (D) Chitin
28. What is the bond called that links two monosaccharides together?
- (A) Peptide bond
- (B) Glycosidic bond
- (C) Hydrogen bond
- (D) Ionic bond
29. Which of the following is a reducing sugar?
- (A) Glucose
- (B) Sucrose
- (C) Lactose
- (D) Both A and C
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carbohydrate-functions
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161547
- https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/chemistry-of-life/properties-structure-and-function-of-biological-macromolecules/a/carbohydrates
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