Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

4. Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

General Biology

4. Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

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1:56 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

What are the primary functions of carbohydrates in cells?
a. Cell identity, energy storage, raw material source for synthesis, and structure
b. Catalysis, energy storage, metabolism, and structure
c. Catalysis, digestion, energy storage, and information storage
d. Energy storage, information storage, polymerization, and raw material source for synthesis

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1.

Recognize that one of the primary functions of carbohydrates is energy storage. They are stored as glycogen in animals and starch in plants.

Identify that carbohydrates serve as a raw material source for the synthesis of other molecules. They can be converted into amino acids and fatty acids.

Acknowledge that carbohydrates play a role in cell identity. Glycoproteins and glycolipids on cell surfaces are involved in cell recognition and signaling.

Note that carbohydrates contribute to structural components in cells. For example, cellulose in plant cell walls provides structural support.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Carbohydrates in Energy Storage

Carbohydrates are crucial for energy storage in cells, primarily in the form of glycogen in animals and starch in plants. These polysaccharides can be broken down into glucose, which is used in cellular respiration to produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell. This process is vital for maintaining cellular functions and supporting metabolic activities.

Carbohydrates as Raw Material for Synthesis

Carbohydrates serve as raw materials for the synthesis of other biomolecules. Monosaccharides like glucose can be converted into various compounds, including nucleotides and amino acids, through metabolic pathways. This versatility makes carbohydrates essential for building complex molecules necessary for cell growth and repair.

Carbohydrates in Cell Structure

Carbohydrates contribute to cell structure, particularly in the form of cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons. These polysaccharides provide rigidity and protection, helping maintain cell shape and integrity. Structural carbohydrates are crucial for the physical support and defense of cells.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

A glucose molecule is to starch as (Explain your answer.)

a. A steroid is to a lipid

b. A protein is to an amino acid

c. A nucleic acid is to a polypeptide

d. A nucleotide is to a nucleic acid

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Textbook Question

What type of bond is formed between two sugars in a disaccharide?

a. Glycosidic linkage

b. Phosphodiester bond

c. Peptide bond

d. Hydrogen bond

1800

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Textbook Question

What holds cellulose molecules together in bundles large enough to form fibers?

a. The cell wall

b. Peptide bonds

c. Hydrogen bonds

d. Hydrophobic interactions

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Textbook Question

Cows can derive nutrients from cellulose because

a. They produce enzymes that recognize the shape of the glucose-glucose bonds and hydrolyze them.

b. They re-chew their cud to break down cellulose fibers.

c. Their digestive tract contains microorganisms that can hydrolyze the bonds of cellulose.

d. They convert cellulose to starch and can digest starch.

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Textbook Question

Which of the differences listed here could be found among molecules of the same monosaccharide? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F There is a difference in the orientation of a hydroxyl group in the ring form.

T/F There is a difference in the number of carbons.

T/F There is a difference in the position of the carbonyl group in the linear form.

T/F There is a difference in the overall shape of the molecule—one is a ring and the other is linear.

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Textbook Question

Choose the term that correctly describes the relationship between these two sugar molecules:

a. Structural isomers

b. Cis-trans isomers

c. Enantiomers

d. Isotopes

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Textbook Question

Although cellulose and starch are identical in terms of stored chemical energy, our ability to harvest the energy from these two polysaccharides differs considerably. What is responsible for this difference?

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Textbook Question

Contrast the structure of glycogen and chitin in terms of their monosaccharides, glycosidic linkages, and interactions between polysaccharide chains.

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