Carbohydrates play critical roles in biological systems, serving as structural components and energy sources. Monosaccharides, such as glucose, form the building blocks of larger carbohydrate molecules.
A six-membered ring Two different forms with different properties 1) α glucose: Hydroxyl is down and CH 2OH opposite side 2) β glucose: Hydroxyl is up and CH 2OH same side
Galactose
Fructose
Types
Polysaccharides
More than 20 monosaccharides
Oligosaccharides
Less than 20 monosaccharides
Disaccharides
di- = “two” sacchar
Linking Monosaccharides Process: Condensation- H2O released Covalent bond known as a glycosidic linkage Reversing process: Hydrolysis-add water