W.B.C.S. Examination Notes On – Biology – Carbohydrate.
- Consisting of oxygen (O), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H), carbohydrate is a biological molecule.Continue Reading W.B.C.S. Examination Notes On – Biology – Carbohydrate.
- Carbohydrate is one of the essential elements for the living organisms, as it plays various important roles.
- Carbohydrate is the main source of energy, as about two-third energy requirement of living beings is fulfilled by it.
- Glucose, sugar, and starch are the important examples of carbohydrate.
Source of Carbohydrate
- Carbohydrates naturally are occurring in wide variety of foods, such as −
- Wheat
- Maize
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Sugarcane
- Fruits
- Table sugar
- Bread
- Milk
- Sugar that we eat in our everyday life is mainly sucrose (table sugar).
- Sucrose is added in many food items while preparing, e.g. jam, biscuits, cakes, energy drinks, etc.
- Further, many fruits naturally contain glucose and fructose.
- Glycogen is another type of carbohydrate that found in the liver and muscle.
- Cellulose found in the cell wall of plant cells is carbohydrate.
Types of Carbohydrate
- The following table illustrates major categories and sub-categories of carbohydrate −
Class | Subgroup | Components |
---|---|---|
Sugar | Monosaccharides | Glucose, fructose, xylose, galactose |
Disaccharides | Sucrose, lactose, maltose, trehalose | |
Polyols | Sorbitol, mannitol | |
Oligosaccharides | Malto-oligosaccharides | Maltodextrins |
Other oligosaccharides | Raffinose, stachyose, fructo-oligosaccharides | |
Polysaccharides | Starch | Amylose, amylopectin, modified starches |
Non-starch polysaccharides | Cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, hydrocolloids |
Functions of Carbohydrate
- Following are the major functions of carbohydrates −
- Carbohydrates provide energy required for the proper function of the body.
- Carbohydrates also store food in the body for the contingency period.
- Carbohydrates form nucleic acids.
- Carbohydrates also support skeleton system of animals.
- Carbohydrates provide sweetness and flavor.
- Carbohydrates break down the fatty acid.