Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are composed of:

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen General Formula: $\text{(CH}_2\text{O)}_n$

Ratio: 1:2:1

Monosaccharides (1 sugar unit)	Glucose (fruit) Fructose (honey)
Disaccharides (2 sugar units)	Maltose (germinating seeds) Lactose (milk) Sucrose (table sugar)
Polysaccharides (3 or more sugar units)	Starch (bread, pasta, potatoes) Cellulose (vegetables, wholemeal bread) Glycogen

Role of carbohydrates

Structural role:

Cellulose in plant cell walls

Metabolic role:

Catabolic reactions e.g. respiration
Anabolic reactions e.g. photosynthesis

Energy storage:

Stored in plants as starch
Stored in animals (muscles and liver) as glycogen

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Structural role: involves building and supporting body structures Metabolic role: involves chemical reactions and processes that sustain life.

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Quick Definition Review! Catabolic reaction: The breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules e.g. digestion.

Anabolic reaction: The use of smaller molecules to form larger molecules e.g. photosynthesis, protein synthesis.

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