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Properties
Properties
Molecules that are important to short-term energy storage among other functions.
Elements
Elements
C H O
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen
Monomers
Monomers
Large carbohydrates are made out of chains of monosaccharides covalently bonded together. Monosaccharides are single units or sugar, often in the form of a carbon ring. There are many different kinds of monosaccharides but in biology class the most popular sugar to study is glucose.
(can you find all the elements in the diagram at right?)
Types
Types
Storage Carbohydrates
Storage Carbohydrates
These carbohydrates are used as short-term energy storage in humans in the form of glycogen. Plants store the excess energy they harvest from photosynthesis in starch molecules. Because of the shape of their bond, enzymes in the human body can dissolve these molecules easily when energy is needed.
Structural Carbohydrates
Structural Carbohydrates
These carbohydrates are used as structural support. Plants are able to stand tall thanks to chains of cellulose. Some animals, like insects, have exoskeletons made of chitin. Because of the shape of the bond between monomers, human enzymes are not able to digest these carbohydrates.
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