• Monosaccharides are carbohydrate monomers. What are their characteristics?
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Step 1: Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates. Show more…
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What are the monomers of all carbohydrates
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Carbohydrates are a class of macromolecules that are water-soluble and are used by cells as a primary source of energy. Common simple carbohydrates include Starch and Glycogen, which form a single ring structure when drawn in the projection. Monomer sugars such as glucose exist primarily in the D configuration on earth. This designation is determined by the analysis of the most electronegative functional group located on the carbon furthest from the carbon bound to the functional group (the most oxidized carbon). Carbohydrates also function as structural molecules in cells. For example, Cellulose is a primary component of the walls of plant cells, whereas Chitin forms the tough exoskeleton of insects, crustaceans, and arachnids. In contrast, carbohydrates such as Starch and Glycogen function in the storage of carbohydrates for future demands in plants and animals respectively. Disaccharides such as Maltose and Cellobiose are linked together through a glycosidic bond in the alpha configuration, whereas Sucrose and Lactose are linked through a bond in the beta configuration. The beta configuration occurs when the hydroxyl group of the anomeric carbon (carbon 1) is locked into the up-configuration.
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