2.3 Carbohydrates and lipids

Understandings:

• • Monosaccharide monomers are linked together by condensation reactions to form disaccharides and polysaccharide polymers.

  • Fatty acids can be saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated.

  • Unsaturated fatty acids can be cis or trans isomers.

  • Triglycerides are formed by condensation from three fatty acids and one glycerol.

• • Applications and skills:

  • Application: Structure and function of cellulose and starch in plants and glycogen in humans.

  • Application: Scientific evidence for health risks of trans fats and saturated fatty acids.

  • Application: Lipids are more suitable for long-term energy storage in humans than carbohydrates.

  • Application: Evaluation of evidence and the methods used to obtain the evidence for health claims made about lipids.

  • Skill: Use of molecular visualization software to compare cellulose, starch andglycogen.

  • Skill: Determination of body mass index by calculation or use of a nomogram.