Carbohydrates
By: Jocelyn, Liliana and Kat
What is a Carbohydrate?
A carbohydrate is any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues including sugars, starch and cellulose.
What is it made up of?
It is made up of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen, usually with a hydrogen : oxygen atom ratio of 2 : 1
Monomer and Polymers
Monomer:
- Monosaccharide
Ex: Glucose, Galactose and Frustose
Polymers:
- Disaccharide
Ex: Maltose, Lactose, Sucrose
- Polysaccharide
Ex: Cellulose, Glycogen and starch
Where is it in the body?
The body stores carbohydrates in the muscles & liver.
Carbs. are taken in the form of glucose, which is converted to glycogen & stored in those body parts.
The red blood cells & the brain need glucose as a source of energy.
How does it Function? (what it does for you)
Carbohydrates have 5 major functions within the body:
- Energy supply, particularly for the brain in the form of glucose.
- Avoiding the breakdown of amino acids for energy.
- Avoiding ketosis from the breakdown of fatty acids.
- Cellular & recognition
- Dietary fiber