Carbohydrates, in the context of biology, are organic molecules composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms, typically with a hydrogen to oxygen atom ratio of 2:1, similar to water (H2O). They are one of the four main types of macromolecules essential for life, alongside proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
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Types of Carbohydrates
You will note that carbohydrates can be classified based on the number of sugar units they contain.
Monosaccharides
Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates and consist of a single sugar molecule. They are the building blocks for more complex carbohydrates.
A common example would be glucose (C6H12O6), which is a primary energy source for cells. Other examples include fructose (found in fruits) and galactose (part of lactose in milk).
Disaccharides
Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharide molecules are joined together by a glycosidic bond. This bond is created through a dehydration reaction, where a water molecule is removed.
Oligosaccharides
Oligosaccharides consist of a few (typically 3 to 10) monosaccharide units linked together. They are often found on the surfaces of cells and play roles in cell recognition and signaling.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units linked together. They can be linear or branched and serve various functions in organisms.