Carbohydrates are a type of nutrient found in food. They can be grouped into four main types based on how they are built. These types are monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Each type has unique features that make them important for our bodies.
Monosaccharides:
These are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
They are made of single sugar molecules, like glucose and fructose.
They usually have a formula called , where is a number between 3 and 7.
Monosaccharides have a structure that includes carbon atoms linked together, along with some special groups called hydroxyl groups.
Sometimes, they can also have other groups that change their properties.
Disaccharides:
These are formed when two monosaccharides join together.
This happens through a special bond called a glycosidic bond.
Common examples of disaccharides are sucrose (which comes from glucose and fructose) and lactose (made of glucose and galactose).
They have a bit more complexity than monosaccharides and can taste sweet and dissolve in water differently based on the sugars they contain.
Oligosaccharides:
These are made up of 3 to 10 monosaccharide units.
They play important roles in helping our cells recognize each other and send signals.
For example, they are involved in our blood types.
One common oligosaccharide is raffinose, which has three sugar units.
Polysaccharides:
These are made of many (more than 10) monosaccharide units.
Polysaccharides can be branched or straight.
Examples include starch and glycogen, which are used for energy storage, and cellulose, which gives plants their structure.
Because they are so large, they are great for storing energy and helping plants stay strong.
Knowing about these different types of carbohydrates helps us understand how they work in our bodies.
They play various roles, from storing energy to helping cells communicate.
Carbohydrates are a type of nutrient found in food. They can be grouped into four main types based on how they are built. These types are monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Each type has unique features that make them important for our bodies.
Monosaccharides:
These are the simplest form of carbohydrates.
They are made of single sugar molecules, like glucose and fructose.
They usually have a formula called , where is a number between 3 and 7.
Monosaccharides have a structure that includes carbon atoms linked together, along with some special groups called hydroxyl groups.
Sometimes, they can also have other groups that change their properties.
Disaccharides:
These are formed when two monosaccharides join together.
This happens through a special bond called a glycosidic bond.
Common examples of disaccharides are sucrose (which comes from glucose and fructose) and lactose (made of glucose and galactose).
They have a bit more complexity than monosaccharides and can taste sweet and dissolve in water differently based on the sugars they contain.
Oligosaccharides:
These are made up of 3 to 10 monosaccharide units.
They play important roles in helping our cells recognize each other and send signals.
For example, they are involved in our blood types.
One common oligosaccharide is raffinose, which has three sugar units.
Polysaccharides:
These are made of many (more than 10) monosaccharide units.
Polysaccharides can be branched or straight.
Examples include starch and glycogen, which are used for energy storage, and cellulose, which gives plants their structure.
Because they are so large, they are great for storing energy and helping plants stay strong.
Knowing about these different types of carbohydrates helps us understand how they work in our bodies.
They play various roles, from storing energy to helping cells communicate.