UncategorizedStructure and Classification of Carbohydrates – Explanation, Types and Example

Structure and Classification of Carbohydrates – Explanation, Types and Example

Classification of Carbohydrates Biochemistry

Carbohydrates are classified according to the number of sugar molecules they contain. Monosaccharides are the simplest type of carbohydrate, and they contain one sugar molecule. Disaccharides are made up of two sugar molecules, and polysaccharides are made up of three or more sugar molecules.

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    Carbohydrates Classification

    Carbohydrates are classified by their chemical structure. The three main types of carbohydrates are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

    Monosaccharides are the simplest type of carbohydrate. They are made of one sugar molecule. The most common monosaccharide is glucose.

    Disaccharides are made of two sugar molecules bonded together. The most common disaccharide is sucrose, which is made of glucose and fructose.

    Polysaccharides are made of multiple sugar molecules bonded together. The most common polysaccharide is starch, which is made of glucose molecules.

    Types of Carbohydrates – Simple Carbohydrates

    , Complex Carbohydrates

    There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.

    Simple carbohydrates are sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. They are found in foods such as candy, soft drinks, and fruit juices.

    Complex carbohydrates are starches, such as potato starch, cornstarch, and wheat flour. They are found in foods such as bread, pasta, and rice.

    Both simple and complex carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is the body’s main source of energy.

    Types of Carbohydrates – Complex Carbohydrates

    There are three types of carbohydrates: simple, complex, and fiber.

    Simple carbohydrates are found in refined sugars like table sugar, honey, and corn syrup. These sugars are quickly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.

    Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. These carbohydrates are digested and absorbed more slowly, causing a steadier rise in blood sugar levels.

    Fiber is a type of complex carbohydrate that is not digested or absorbed. Fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels and can promote a healthy gut microbiome.

    Monosaccharides

    Monosaccharides are the simplest type of carbohydrate. They are single molecules of sugar and are the building blocks of more complex carbohydrates. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are all monosaccharides.

    Disaccharides

    The disaccharides are maltose, sucrose, and lactose.

    Maltose is a disaccharide that is composed of two glucose molecules.

    Sucrose is a disaccharide that is composed of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule.

    Lactose is a disaccharide that is composed of one glucose molecule and one galactose molecule.

    Polysaccharides

    Polysaccharides are large molecules composed of many smaller sugar molecules. There are many different types of polysaccharides, but all of them share one common property: they are all very large and complex.

    Most polysaccharides are made up of many smaller sugar molecules called monosaccharides. These monosaccharides are bonded together in a very specific way, and this bonding creates the complex structure of the polysaccharide.

    Some common polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, and cellulose. All of these polysaccharides have different functions in the body. For example, starch is used for energy storage, glycogen is used for energy release, and cellulose is used for structural support.

    Structure of Carbohydrates

    The structure of carbohydrates is based on a repeating pattern of sugar molecules.

    • The simplest type of carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, which is composed of a single sugar molecule.
    • The most common monosaccharide is glucose.
    • Other monosaccharides include fructose and galactose.
    • Disaccharides are composed of two sugar molecules.
    • The most common disaccharide is sucrose, which is composed of glucose and fructose.
    • Polysaccharides are composed of many sugar molecules.
    • The most common polysaccharide is starch, which is composed of glucose molecules.

    Structure of Carbohydrates – Glucose

    • A carbohydrate is a molecule composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. The simplest type of carbohydrate is a monosaccharide, which is composed of one sugar molecule. Glucose is a monosaccharide that is the primary source of energy for the body’s cells.
    • Glucose is a simple sugar that is composed of six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms. It is the most common monosaccharide in the body and is found in blood and other body fluids. Glucose is a source of energy for the body’s cells and is the main sugar that is transported in the blood.

    Structure of Carbohydrates – Fructose

    Fructose is a simple sugar that is found in fruits and honey. It is a 6-carbon sugar molecule.

    The fructose molecule has a “head” and a “tail.” The head is a 5-carbon ring, and the tail is a 1-carbon chain.

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