Carbohydrates - Contents Flashcards
What do carbohydrates consist of?
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
How are carbohydrates produced?
Carbohydrates are produced by plants through a process called photosynthesis
What carbohydrates to plants produce?
- glucose
- starch
- cellulose
- pectin
What is the main function of carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy
How much of one’s daily energy intake needs to come from carbohydrates?
About 55%
How many kj are in 1g of carbohydrates?
17kj
How are carbohydrates classified?
Carbohydrates are classified according to the number of sugars they contain.
What are two main groups of carbohydrates?
Simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates
What are simple carbohydrates categorised into?
Monosaccharides and disaccharides
What are complex carbohydrates classified as?
Polysaccharides
What are units of sugar called?
Saccharide units
What is a monosaccharide?
A carbohydrate that contains one saccharide unit
What is a disaccharide?
A combination of two monosaccharides
What is a polysaccharide?
A polysaccharide is formed from many simple sugars (chains of monosaccharides)
