Structure and Function of Saccharides

Structure and Function of Saccharides

Saccharides are what we commonly know as sugars, The are composed of

carbon, Hydrogen and oxygen and are used in the body for everything

from the manufacture of DNA to respiration in cells.

What they are used for

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Carbohydrates' main function in the body is in respiration, a process

without which living creatures could not exist, they are perfect for

this job as they oxidize very easily. Only 10% of any sugar can be

active or in straight chain form at any one time, the other 90% of the

sugars are tied up in a circular form of the sugar which ties up the

active group of the sugar, hence preventing it from reacting. H

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Glucose in straight chain form - C=O

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H-C-OH

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OH-C-H

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H-C-OH

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H-C-OH

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CH2OH

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Glucose in ring form -

Active groups

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[IMAGE][IMAGE]All sugars contain one of two active groups an aldehyde

group - C=O or CHO or a ketone group - C

[IMAGE] H C=O

C

This group affects the sugars' properties very drastically and is the

part of the sugar which is needed to react with any other substance,

this is why sucrose is unreactive, because its' active group is tied

up in the bond between its' two monomers.

Classifying Saccharides

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The general formula for most Saccharides is Cx(H20)y. All Saccharides

are separated into either Aldehydes or Ketones, depending on the

composition of the saccharides' active group. A saccharide can be

classed as a monosaccharide, a disaccharide or a polysaccharide,

depending on how many of a certain basic sugar molecule are combined

to make it.

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1 monosaccharide + another = a disaccharide

Monosaccharides

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The general formula for Monosaccharides is (CH2O)n. For example

Glucose - C6H12O6 and Fructose - C5H10O5.