Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are sugar molecules; most abundant organic molecules in nature and one of the most essential macronutrient in foods. This important food nutrient that our body turns into glucose to provide us energy to function. Carbohydrates are a primary fuel source for cells, especially the cells of the central nervous system and red blood cells. Muscle cells also rely on carbohydrates to fuel intense physical activity. Structure of carbohydrates: The carbohydrates family includes sugar, starch, and fiber. Most forms of carbohydrates are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The general formula for carbohydrates is (CH2O)n, where n represents the number of times the formula is repeated. The simpler forms of carbohydrates are called monosaccharides and disaccharides. The more complex forms of carbohydrates are called polysaccharides and typically contain many glucose molecules linked together. Monosaccharides: Monosaccharides are single sugars with the genera...