The Structure And Two Functions Of Carbohydrates
The structure and two functions of carbohydrates.
Glucose can be represented in two ways as a straight chain of six carbon atoms in a ring (See diagram. Brandstoffen)
Disaccharides are simply two monosaccharides combined together. The most important disaccharides are lactose, sucrose and maltose. The bond between them called glycoside bond. Disaccharides are divided into two types according to the nature of the formation of glycoside bonds: Reducing and non-reducing. Maltose is a good sample of disaccharide. Maltose is malt sugar. It is formed as an intermediate product, the hydrolysis of starch or glycogen enzyme α-amylase. It is formed as intermediate by hydrolysing enzyme alpha to starch glycogen. In the maltose, glucose molecules are combined α – (1→ 4) glycoside bond. (See diagram below. Glyosidic linkage: Definition & overview.)
Other well-known example of disaccharide is lactose. Lactose is milk sugar, carbohydrate, it is rich in raw milk and its products. Lactose consists of β – D galactopronose molecule combined β – 1.4 – glycoside bond. Several human bodies cannot tolerate lactose because the body lacks the enzyme lactose.
The second important function of carbohydrates it is a structural element that enters the walls of bacteria and plant composition.
