C6h12o6 is what type of molecule

The atoms in this cyclic molecule then arrange themselves in space to minimize the amount of strain on each of the covalent bonds. Polysaccharides - joining glucose together. In the presence of acid it will combine with any other molecule that has an alcohol -OH group as part of its structure. The resulting, larger, molecule is called a glycoside.

In some of the largest polysaccarhide structures there can be 10, individual units joined together. Threads of cellulose are bound by hydrogen bonds into bundles of great strength and flexibility. These are used by plants to surround each cell in a way that protects them from the effects of osmosis and also gives them shape and form.

It is a major reserve of energy that can be quickly mobilized as necessary. A tiny part of the sun's energy reaching this planet is absorbed by plants and converted from light energy into chemical energy. This is the process called photosynthesis. Monosaccharide sugars are made by combining and recombining all those carbon atoms first trapped as 3PG. The most abundant and versatile of these monosaccharides is glucose.

Carbohydrates are classified into three subtypes: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. In monosaccharides, the number of carbons usually ranges from three to seven. Depending on the number of carbons in the sugar, they also may be known as trioses three carbons , pentoses five carbons , and or hexoses six carbons. Monosaccharides can exist as a linear chain or as ring-shaped molecules; in aqueous solutions they are usually found in ring forms. Glucose C 6 H 12 O 6 is a common monosaccharide and an important source of energy.

During cellular respiration, energy is released from glucose and that energy is used to help make adenosine triphosphate ATP. Plants synthesize glucose using carbon dioxide and water, and glucose, in turn, is used for energy requirements for the plant. Galactose a milk sugar and fructose found in fruit are other common monosaccharides. Although glucose, galactose, and fructose all have the same chemical formula C 6 H 12 O 6 , they differ structurally and stereochemically.

This makes them different molecules despite sharing the same atoms in the same proportions, and they are all isomers of one another, or isomeric monosaccharides. Glucose and galactose are aldoses, and fructose is a ketose. During this process, the hydroxyl group of one monosaccharide combines with the hydrogen of another monosaccharide, releasing a molecule of water and forming a covalent bond.

A covalent bond formed between a carbohydrate molecule and another molecule in this case, between two monosaccharides is known as a glycosidic bond. This occurs at C atom one, the anomeric C atom. Since sugars contain alcohol groups and hydroxyl groups, they can combine with other sugars to form disaccharides, tri, tetra, etc.

Home Carbohydrate Chemistry Carbohydrate Digestion. Monosaccharides Isomers Stereoisomers Numbering of Carbon Atoms Asymmetric Carbon Atoms Trioses and Pentoses Hexoses Isomers The monosaccharides can be divided into groups based on the number of carbon atoms in the molecules, thus: trioses have 3-C atoms, tetroses have 4-C atoms, pentoses have 5-C atoms, and hexoses have 6-C atoms.

Back to top Stereoisomers Some isomers differ only in the way in which the atoms are arranged in 3-D space, that is, the atoms are bonded to each other in the same way, but are arranged differently in 3-D space.

An L-isomer has the OH on the left of the center carbon: and the D-isomer has the OH on the right of the center carbon. Back to top Asymmetric Carbon Atoms In theory, in glucose, the position of the OH group on each of the asymmetric carbon atoms, numbers two, three, four, and five could be flipped, producing a distinct stereoisomer each time, for a total of 16 or 2 4 stereoisomers.

Back to top Trioses and Pentoses 1. Back to top Hexoses 3. Hexoses C 6 H 12 O 6 D-glucose — an aldohexose with various common names, including grape sugar, dextrose, corn sugar made from cornstarch. Back to top D-Fructose — a ketohexose, found in honey, green leaves, seeds, and stems of many plants, as the main unit in fructans which are common in young grasses, in roots as the storage polysaccharide inulin, and as a component of the disaccharide sucrose with glucose.

D-Mannose — Mainly as mannans in yeasts, molds, and bacteria. Back to top Hexose Reactions Hexose compounds can undergo a number of chemical reactions. Oxidation to acids e. Combine with NH 3 to produce hexosamines, for example, glucosamine — a component of chitin.

Formation of alcohols, for example glucose forms sorbitol. Glycoside formation to produce di, tri, tetra, oligo and polysaccharides. Glycoside Formation Combining the H of a hydroxyl group on a sugar with an alcohol group or another hydroxyl group causes an Esterification or Condensation reaction to yield a glycoside.

As an immediate source of energy, glucose is broken down during the process of cellular respiration, which produces adenosine triphosphate ATP , the energy currency of the cell. Eliminating carbohydrates from the diet is not the best way to lose weight.

A low-calorie diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, together with plenty of exercise and plenty of water, is the more sensible way to lose weight. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content. Biological Macromolecules. Search for:. Carbohydrate Molecules Carbohydrates are essential macromolecules that are classified into three subtypes: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Learning Objectives Describe the structure of mono-, di-, and poly-saccharides.

Key Takeaways Key Points Monosaccharides are simple sugars made up of three to seven carbons, and they can exist as a linear chain or as ring-shaped molecules. Glucose, galactose, and fructose are monosaccharide isomers, which means they all have the same chemical formula but differ structurally and chemically.

Disaccharides form when two monosaccharides undergo a dehydration reaction a condensation reaction ; they are held together by a covalent bond. Sucrose table sugar is the most common disaccharide, which is composed of the monomers glucose and fructose. A polysaccharide is a long chain of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds; the chain may be branched or unbranched and can contain many types of monosaccharides.

Key Terms isomer : Any of two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structure.

Importance of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are a major class of biological macromolecules that are an essential part of our diet and provide energy to the body. Learning Objectives Describe the benefits provided to organisms by carbohydrates. Key Takeaways Key Points Carbohydrates provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose, a simple sugar that is found in many basic foods.

Carbohydrates contain soluble and insoluble elements; the insoluble part is known as fiber, which promotes regular bowel movement, regulates the rate of consumption of blood glucose, and also helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body.

As an immediate source of energy, glucose is broken down during the process of cellular respiration, which produces ATP, the energy currency of the cell. Since carbohydrates are an important part of the human nutrition, eliminating them from the diet is not the best way to lose weight. Key Terms carbohydrate : A sugar, starch, or cellulose that is a food source of energy for an animal or plant; a saccharide.