Compare and contrast the structure properties a... - SS3 Chemistry Organic Chemistry: Carbohydrates and Lipids Question

Disaccharides:

1.    Structure: Disaccharides are formed by the condensation reaction between two monosaccharides, resulting in the formation of a glycosidic bond.

2.    Examples: Common disaccharides include sucrose (glucose + fructose), lactose (glucose + galactose), and maltose (glucose + glucose).

3.    Solubility: Disaccharides are generally soluble in water and exhibit sweet tastes.

4.    Biological Roles: Disaccharides are essential for the transportation and storage of sugars in plants and animals. For example, sucrose is found in sugarcane and table sugar, while lactose is present in milk.

5.    Digestion: Disaccharides are broken down into monosaccharides by specific enzymes in the digestive system before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Polysaccharides:

1.    Structure: Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic bonds.

2.    Examples: Common examples of polysaccharides include starch (plants), glycogen (animals), and cellulose (plants).

3.    Solubility: Polysaccharides are generally insoluble in water and do not exhibit sweet tastes.

4.    Biological Roles: Polysaccharides serve as energy storage and structural components in living organisms. Starch is the primary storage form of glucose in plants, while glycogen is the storage form of glucose in animals. Cellulose provides rigidity and strength to plant cell walls.

5.    Digestion: Polysaccharides are broken down into disaccharides and monosaccharides by specific enzymes during digestion. Starch and glycogen are broken down into glucose, while cellulose cannot be digested by humans and serves as dietary fibre.

In conclusion, monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides are essential carbohydrates with distinct structures, properties, and biological roles. Monosaccharides serve as the primary energy source and are building blocks for more complex carbohydrates. Disaccharides are important for sugar transport and storage. Polysaccharides play critical roles in energy storage and structural support in living organisms. Together, these carbohydrates contribute to the proper functioning of various biological processes.