‘Sacchar’ in Greek means sugar.

Carbohydrates made up of :

1. saccharides = monomer or simplest form of sugar.

CARBOHYDRATES 2. saccharides = dimer of sugar formed from the condensation
of two molecules of monosaccharides.
3. saccharides = polymer of sugar formed from the
condensation of many molecules of monosaccharides.

Characteristics : 1. Colourless 2. 3. .
4. .
MONOSACCHARIDES
α α glucose β glucose

Examples : 1. GLUCOSE

2. β
3.

Monosaccharide Monosaccharide Disaccharide

α glucose α glucose .
(malt sugar present in beer)

α glucose . sucrose
(table sugar, main form of
sugar transported in plants

glucose galactose lactose

(present in )

Characteristics : 1. 2. 3. Sweet
DISACCHARIDES .

* Condensation = process of combining molecules by formation of bond through removal of

molecule.
* = process of breaking down molecules by addition of water molecule.

Formation of maltose

Breakdown of maltose
 Characteristics : 1. 2. .
POLYSACCHARIDES 3. Not sweet.
1. Condensation of many α glucose will form a polysaccharide perfect for storage purposes.
WHY?
*The bond angle between many α-1,4-glycosidic bond adds up resulting in a
shaped molecule. Helical molecule is more compact and does not occupy much .
Hence more suitable for storage!
*Polysaccharides dissolve in water. Therefore, disturb the cell’s water
potential.
*Can be easily broken down to release glucose.
 Carbohydrate storage
Animal

Name : .
1. Branching : YES / NO
2. Bond present :

Plants
STARCH

Name : .
1. Branching : YES / NO Name : .
2. Bond present : 1. Branching :
2. Bond present :

2. Condensation of many β glucose will form a polysaccharide perfect for structural purposes!
WHY?
*The bond angle between many β-1,4-glycosidic bond will each other. Resulting in
the formation of a chain forming a fiber.

*Cellulose is unbranched but many cellulose fibers can form bond with each other
contributing to the toughness of the cell wall. This is called cross linkage.
Table of comparison between Polysaccharides that we have learned.
Criteria Amylose Amylopectin Glycogen Cellulose

Diagram

Monomer

Function

Shape

Branching

Bond(s)