Sugars 1A -2

Monosaccharaides

Carbohydrates contain the elements C, H and O. They are often polymers (made up of the same repeating monomer). These monomers are called monosaccharaides; examples of these are glucose, fructose and galactose. Monosaccharaides have the same number of C as O and are often in the formula (CH2O)n.

There are two forms of glucose. They have the same chemical formula just different structural formula. 

The two types of glucose

Disaccharides

Disaccharides are formed when two monosaccharaides join together. They are formed by a condensation reaction (the removal of a water molecule) and they form a glycosidic bond (it is important to remember that disaccharides have glycosidic bonds between the two monosaccharaides. Examples of disaccharides are maltose (two alpha glucose molecules), sucrose (fructose and beta glucose) and lactose (galactose and alpha glucose).

Maltose forming between two alpha glucose molecules

Sucrose forming between a beta glucose and a fructose molecule

Lactose forming between an alpha glucose and a galactose molecule

Molecules - 1A-1

Monomers and polymers

Polymers are large complex molecules made up of repeating monomers.

A monomer is a small basic unit which can form with other monomers to make polymers.

Carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids are all examples of polymers.

Making polymers

Polymers are produced by a condensation reaction, this is when a water molecule is removed and therefore it links two monomers with a chemical bond between them.

Breaking down polymers

Polymers are broken down by a hydrolysis reaction, this is when a water molecule is added and it breaks the bond which held the two monomers together.

Example of a condensation/hydrolysis reaction