Introduction to Carbohydrates: Key concepts

Cell Biology and Genetics

1. A Cell is formed from Carbon Compounds

 A few basic categories of molecules, formed from a small number of elements,
give rise to all living things
 Apart from water, nearly all molecules in the cell are based on Carbon
 Carbon has an amazing ability to form large molecules because it (i) small (ii)
has four valence electrons and (iii) can form highly stable C-C bonds which can
generate large and complex molecules

 Carbon compounds = organic molecules

 Chemical Groups i.e. methyl (-CH3), Hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH)
repeatedly occur in organic molecules, each with distinct properties that
influence the behaviour of the molecule
 All organic molecules are chemically related, but are classified into four major
families: carbohydrates (sugars), fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotides

Key Concepts: Carbohydrates Dr Sarah Bajan

 2. Sugars Are Both Energy Sources and Subunits of
Polysaccharides
 The simplest sugars, the monosaccharides, have the general formula (CH2O)n,
n is usually 3 – 6, e.g. the formula for glucose is C6H1206.
 The formula does not define the molecule however, as these atoms could form
bonds in a multitude of ways. E.g. Glucose can very easily be converted into
another 6 carbon monosaccharide, just by changing the position of on –OH
group relative to the rest of the molecule
 Molecules with the same chemical formula, but different structure are called
isomers. Isomers are key to generating an enormous variety of sugars.
 Additionally each sugar can exist in the D-form or the L-form, which are mirror
images of each other, this kind of isomer is called enantiomers.

Key Concepts: Carbohydrates Dr Sarah Bajan

3. Monosaccharides can be linked by a covalent glycosidic
bond
 Two monosaccharides link to form a disaccharide e.g. Glucose + Fructose =
Sucrose, via a covalent glycosidic bond.

 This bond is formed between an –OH group on one sugar and an –OH group
on another by a condensation reaction, in which one water molecule is expelled
as the bond forms
 The glycosidic reaction can be broken in the reverse process of hydrolysis,
which consumes a water molecule

 Larger sugar polymers, polysaccharides, can contain thousands of

monosaccharide subunits
 As monosaccharides have several –OH groups, sugar polymers can be
branched and polysaccharide structures can be extremely large

Key Concepts: Carbohydrates Dr Sarah Bajan

4. Carbohydrates have a central role as an energy source and
store for cells
 Glucose is a dominant energy source of cells, releasing energy when it is
broken down is a series of small reactions
 Glucose polysaccharides are used as long term energy storage, principally
glycogen in animals and starch in plants
 Sugars also have other functions e.g. mechanical support
o Cellulose and chitin
 Oligosaccharides (composed of a few monosaccharides) covalent bind to
proteins forming glycoproteins. These are found in cell membranes and function
in cell surface protection, adherence and form the molecular basis for different
human blood groups.

Key Concepts: Carbohydrates Dr Sarah Bajan

5. Recommended Reading/Watching
 Campbell Biology 11th edition pg 56 – 72
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zm_DyD6FJ0

Key Concepts: Carbohydrates Dr Sarah Bajan

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