In this article we will discuss about the Meaning and Types of Carbohydrates. Meaning of Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are polyhydroxy aldoses, ketoses and their condensation products. Aldoses bear terminal aldehyde or —CHO group (e.g., glyceraldehyde, xylose, ribose, glucose, galactose) while ketoses have an internal ketone or —CO— group (e.g., dihydroxy acetone, erythrulose, ribulose, xylulose, fructose, sedoheptulose). The term carbohydrate is derived [...]
The following points highlight the three main types of Polysaccharides. The types are: 1. Food Storage Polysaccharides 2. Structural Polysaccharides 3. Mucosubstances. Type # 1. Food Storage Polysaccharides: They are those polysaccharides which serve as reserve food. At the time of need, storage polysaccharides are hydrolysed. Sugars thus released become available to the living cells for production of energy and [...]
The following points highlight the two main divisions of mucosubstances. The divisions are: 1. Glycoprotein 2. Mucopolysaccharides. Mucosubstances: Division # 1. Glycoprotein: (i) They are protein-polysaccharide compounds occurring in the tissues, particularly in mucus secretions. (ii) They do not contain uronic acids although they contain acetyl hexosamines such as N-acetyl glucosamine and N-acetylgalactosamine. Hexoses such as mannose or galactose are [...]