What are the functions of carbohydrates in the cell?

for the normal functioning of the human body needs the fundamental substances that are being built and all the structural parts of cells, tissues and the entire organism.This compounds such as:

• proteins;
• lipids;
• carbohydrates;
• nucleic acids.

All of them are very important.It is impossible to distinguish among them more or less significant, because the lack of any body leads to inevitable destruction.Consider what are compounds such as carbohydrates, and the role they play within the cell.

general notion about carbohydrates

terms of the chemistry of carbohydrates called complex oxygen-containing organic compounds, the composition of which is expressed by the general formula Cn (H2O) m.The index must be either equal to, or greater than four.

total carbohydrate content in the cells of living organisms differently.Thus, they comprise plant about 80%, whereas animals - 2-3%.By themselves, these molecules are not in vain so named.After all, it is just a reflection of their atomic composition: carbon atoms and the water molecules are connected in a certain way.

functions of carbohydrates in the cell are similar to plants, animals and humans.What they are discussed below.Furthermore, by themselves, these compounds are very different.There is a whole classification, which combines them all into one group and thus divides into different branches depending on the structure and composition.

chemical structure and properties

What is the structure of the molecules of this class?After all, that is what will determine what are the functions of carbohydrates in the cell, what role they will play in it.From a chemical point of view, all the substances - is aldegidospirty.The structure of the molecule includes an aldehyde group -COH as well as alcoholic -OH functional groups.

There are several variants of formulas that can be used to represent the structure of the carbohydrate.

1. Molecular - reflects the qualitative and quantitative composition of the compound, but does not show the connection between atoms and does not speak about the structure and properties.
2. Structural .Full or abbreviated, reflects the order of atomic bonds in a molecule, so it can be predicted on the property.
3. Fischer projection formula. combination of horizontal and vertical lines, the intersection of which coincides with the number of carbon atoms stereotsentralnyh.At the same atom of the aldehyde group is shown separately.
4. Formula Heuorsa. used for writing cyclic structure of sugars, both simple and complex.

Looking at the last two formulas, we can predict the functions of carbohydrates in the cell.Because of their properties will be apparent, and hence the role.

chemical properties which exhibit sugar due to the presence of two different functional groups.Thus, for example, polyhydric alcohols and carbohydrates can give a qualitative reaction with hydroxide freshly precipitated copper (II), as well as aldehydes are oxidized to gluconic acid by the silver mirror reaction.

Classification of carbohydrates

Since the molecules of great diversity, some chemists had created a unified classification, which brings together all similar compounds in certain groups.For example, the following types of sugars.

1. Simple, or monosaccharides. comprise one subunit in the composition.Among them are pentoses, hexoses, heptoses and others.The most important and common - ribose, galactose, glucose and fructose.
2. Complex .They consist of several subunits.Disaccharides - two oligosaccharides - from 2 to 10, polysaccharides - more than 10. The most important among them are: sucrose, maltose, lactose, starch, cellulose, glycogen and others.

functions of carbohydrates in the cell and the body is very important, so important are all these options molecules.For each of them play a role.What is the function discussed below.

functions of carbohydrates in the cell

are several.However, there are those that can be called a major determinants, and there are minor.To better understand this issue, it should list them all in a more structured and understandable.So we find out the functions of carbohydrates in the cell.The table below will help us in this.

Obviously, overestimatedthe value of the substances in question is difficult, since they are the basis of many vital processes.Consider some of the functions of carbohydrates in the cell in more detail.

energy function

One of the most important.No food for human consumption, are not able to give him so many calories as carbohydrates.After all, 1 gram of these substances is cleaved to release 4.1 kcal (38.9 kJ) and 0.4 grams of water.This output is capable of providing energy of the whole body.

Therefore, we can say that carbohydrates in the cell serve as suppliers or sources of strength, power, livelihood opportunities, to implement any type of activity.

has long been observed that it is sweets, carbohydrates that are for the most part, able to quickly regain strength and give energy.This includes not only physical training, stress, and mental activity.The more a person thinks, decides, thinks, learns, and so, the more the biochemical processes going on in his brain.And to implement them need energy.Where to get it?The answer is simple: carbohydrates, or rather, the products that contain them, they give it.

energy functions that perform the subject compounds, allows not only to move and think.Energy is needed and many other processes:

• construction of structural parts of cells;
• gas exchange;
• plastic exchange;
• allocation;
• circulation and so on.

all vital processes require a source of energy for its existence.It also provides for the living beings carbohydrates.

Plastic

Another name for this function - the construction or structural.It speaks for itself.Carbohydrates are actively involved in the construction of important macromolecules in the body such as:

• DNA.
• RNA.
• ATP.
• ADP and others.

It is because of our compounds under consideration is the formation of glycolipids - one of the most important molecules of cell membranes.Furthermore, cellulose, i.e. polysaccharide built plant cell wall.She - the bulk of the timber.

If we talk about the animals, the arthropods (crustaceans, spiders, mites), protists in the cell membrane include chitin - a polysaccharide.The same components found in fungal cells.

Thus, carbohydrates in the cell serve as a building material, and allows you to create many new structures and decompose to release the old energy.

is stored

This function is very important.Not all the energy entering the body with food, immediately spent.Some of the remaining detainees in molecules of carbohydrates and is deposited in the form of spare nutrients.

in plants is starch or inulin in the cell wall - cellulose.In humans and animals - glycogen, or animal fat.This occurs in order to always been the amount of energy in case of starvation of the organism.For example, camels stockpile fat not only for energy when splitting, and, for the most part, for releasing the necessary quantity of water.

protective function

addition to those described above, the functions of carbohydrates in the cell of living organisms and more protective.This is easily seen, if we analyze the qualitative composition of resins and gums, formed in place of the injured tree structure.By their chemical nature it monosaccharides and derivatives thereof.

This viscous liquid does not allow outsiders pathogens penetrate the wood and harm him.So it turns out that the implementation is carried out protective function of carbohydrates.

also an example of this function can serve as such formations in plants as thorns, spines.This - dead cells that are composed mostly of cellulose.They protect plants from being eaten by animals.

The main function of carbohydrates in the cell

of the functions that we have listed, of course, you can select the most important.After all, the task of each product containing the substances, - learned to split and give your body the energy needed for life.

Therefore, the main function of carbohydrates in the cell - energy.Without enough vitality can not normally take place no process, both internal and external (movement, facial expressions, etc.).A is greater than carbohydrates, no substance can give energy yield.Therefore, we denote this role as the most important and meaningful.

Foods containing carbohydrates

again generalize.The functions of carbohydrates in the cell following:

• energy;
• block;
• is stored;
• protection;
• receptor;
• thermal insulation;
• catalyst and others.

What foods should be consumed so that the body gets enough of these substances every day?A small list, which contains only the most carbohydrate-rich foods will help us figure it out.

1. plants, tubers are rich in starch (potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, and others).
2. Cereals (rice, barley, buckwheat, millet, oats, wheat, etc.).
3. Bread and bakery all.
4. cane or beet sugar - a disaccharide in pure form.
5. Macaroni and all their varieties.
6. Honey - 80% consists of a racemic mixture of glucose and fructose.
7. Sweets - any pastry that is sweet to the taste, are a source of carbohydrates.

However abused listed products are not worth it, because it can lead to excessive deposition of glycogen and as a result, obesity, and diabetes.