What types of compounds are carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a ratio of 1:2:1. They are classified into several types based on their structure and complexity:
1. Monosaccharides: These are the simplest forms of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar unit. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
2. Disaccharides: Composed of two monosaccharide units that are joined by a glycosidic bond. Common disaccharides include sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose), and maltose (glucose + glucose).
3. Oligosaccharides: Contain a small number of monosaccharide units (usually 3-9). Examples include raffinose and stachyose.
4. Polysaccharides: Composed of long chains of monosaccharide units joined by glycosidic bonds. These can be categorized into two types:
a. Homopolysaccharides: Consist of only one type of monosaccharide unit. Examples include starch and glycogen (composed of glucose units).
b. Heteropolysaccharides: Contain two or more different types of monosaccharide units. Examples include chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.
Carbohydrates play crucial roles as energy sources and structural components in living organisms.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They can be classified into three main types based on their structure and composition:
1. Monosaccharides: These are the simplest carbohydrates and cannot be further hydrolyzed into smaller units. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
2. Disaccharides: These are formed by the joining of two monosaccharides through a glycosidic bond, which occurs during a dehydration reaction. Examples include lactose, sucrose, and maltose.
3. Polysaccharides: These are complex carbohydrates consisting of many monosaccharide units joined together through glycosidic bonds. They serve as storage and structural molecules in living organisms. Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
Each type of carbohydrate has different roles and functions in living organisms, such as providing energy, acting as structural components, and facilitating cell-cell communication.