Summary
Sugars and starches built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that serve as fuel and structural material.
In depth
Carbohydrates have the general formula (CH2O)n and include monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. They supply quick energy (about 17 kJ per gram), act as stores (starch, glycogen) and build structures (cellulose, chitin). They also appear on cell surfaces as recognition tags.
Many names end in -ose. Sugars with an aldehyde group are aldoses and those with a ketone are ketoses.
Frequently asked questions
What is Carbohydrates?
Sugars and starches built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that serve as fuel and structural material.
Which area of biology covers Carbohydrates, and how advanced is it?
Carbohydrates is one of the 51 topics in Biomolecules & Biochemistry. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Polysaccharides, Disaccharides, Carbon Chemistry.
Can you give an example of Carbohydrates?
The brain normally relies on glucose as its primary fuel.
What should I learn before Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Biomolecules & Biochemistry that pair well with it include Water Properties, Carbon Chemistry, Monosaccharides.
What topics are related to Carbohydrates?
The closest topics to Carbohydrates are Polysaccharides, Disaccharides, Carbon Chemistry, Monosaccharides. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Carbohydrates?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Carbohydrates. To practise the whole of Biomolecules & Biochemistry, use the Biomolecules & Biochemistry quiz.
How is Carbohydrates different from Polysaccharides?
Carbohydrates: Sugars and starches built from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that serve as fuel and structural material. Polysaccharides: Long chains of sugar units, including starch, glycogen, cellulose and chitin, used for storage and structure. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Carbohydrates step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Polysaccharides and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Biomolecules & Biochemistry quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.