CARBOHYDRATES

   WHAT ARE CARBOHYDRATES?

According to the defination ; 
                                                          Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldehydes and ketones and derivatives having empirical formola (CnH2O)n .
 From the empirical formula it is clear that the are hydrates of C or hydrated C . As the have same proportion of H and O as is in water.
    Carbohydrates form a class of biomolecules which is majorly found in the earth . Carbohydrates are the compounds on earth which provide energy to living cells . Light energy from sun is captured by plants and is converted into carbohydrates as primary energy source .
      A term sacchride from latin language is used for carbohydrates which means sweet sand . We can say that carbohydrates are sweet in taste so these are sugars. (CnH2O)n is the empirical formula followed  by carbohydrates but all the carbohydrates do not follow this formula and there are some compounds also which are not carbohydrates but they follow this empirical formula such as  lactic acid . some carbohydrates also contains nitrogen , sulphur and phosphorus . 

There are three major classes of carbodydrates ; 
   
   1)   MONOSACCHRIDES
   2)   OLIGOSACCHRIDES
   3)   POLYSACCHRIDES   

   Biological importance of carbohydrates ;

Biologically carbohydrates are very important  as in the followings ;
  • Carbohydrates are energy stores of animals and plants.
  • Carbohydrates are immediate source of energy while lipids are long-term source of energy.
  • Glucose is a free sugar which circulates in blood and is an important substance for normal cell functioning.
  • Regulation of glucose metabolism is vital for survival. Carbohydrates make up most of the plant of about 60-80% of its dry mass.
  • In plants they are used as energy source and for storage in the form of starch.
  • Cellulose which is a polysaccharide is an important structural component in the cell wall of plants.
  • Sucrose, a disaccharide is a product of photosynthesis and is transported internally.
  • Carbohydrates are an important component of diet in animals.
  • Carbohydrates are main source of energy and are essential to all animal life.
  • Carbohydrates act as fuel to physical body parts on daily basis.
  • They provide energy and regulate blood glucose.
  • Help in breakdown of fatty acids and prevents ketosis.
  • Aid in biological recognition processes.
  • They minimize the use of proteins for energy.
  • They also act as flavor and sweeteners.

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