STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATE
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THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATE
Carbohydrate (also loosely known as sugars) is an organic compound, which always comprise of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. The general formula of carbohydrate is Cx(H2O)y where x and y are variable numbers. The functions of carbohydrate include provision of energy, transport and storage of energy and formation of cellular structures.
Carbohydrates are divided into three groups; the monosaccharide (single sugars), the disaccharides (double sugars) and the polysaccharides (many sugars). Monosaccharides are a group of sweet, soluble crystalline molecules having a formula (CH2O)n with n value between three and six. It is further subdivided into aldehyde group (-CHO) or ketone group (C=O). Glucose is the best known and most abundant of monosaccharides. It is an important source of energy in the body and the sole source of energy for the brain. Free glucose is not found in many food (grapes are an exception). It is derived from starch in plants and glycogen in animals...