REU

Biochemistry
(BICH 200)
Level-3
Practical
Carbohydrates
Learning Objectives
• Upon completion of this practical course,
the student should be able to:
• 1. Define the term qualitative tests for
chemical compounds.
• 2. Describe the basis of qualitative tests
for monosaccharides, disaccharides, and
polysaccharides.
• 3. Use the following qualitative tests to
distinguish specific sugars from each
other.
 CARBOHYDRATES - QUALITATIVE
TESTS
• Carbohydrates (CHO) are a class of
organic molecules with the general
chemical formula CnH2nOn.
• These compounds are exactly carbon
hydrates.
• They exist as monosaccharides
(monomer), disaccharides, or
polysaccharides (extensive polymer of
carbohydrate monomers).
 H
C O
CARBOHYDRATES H C OH
HO C H
• The monosaccharide- glucose is our H C OH
primary energy source. H C OH
• The function of the polysaccharides starch CH 2OH
(plants) and glycogen (animals) is to
D-Glucose
store glucose in a readily accessible
form, as well as to lower the osmotic
potential of internal fluids.
• Some polysaccharides have structural
role in living organisms, cellulose is a
major component of plant cell walls.
• Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate
occur in the connective tissues of animals,
especially in cartilage.
 Physical Properties of CHO
• Check the crystals of the sugars
• Test for the solubility of the sugars and
CHO
• Test for the sweetness of the different
sugars and CHO (consider sucrose 100%
sweet)
• Write down your results
 Crystal Solubility Sweetness

Glucose

Fructose

Galactose

Maltose

Sucrose

Lactose

Starch
 Crystal Solubility Sweetness

Glucose

Fructose

Galactose

Maltose

Sucrose

Lactose

Starch