Discussion 2: Carbohydrates in Our Everyday Life
Research a specific carbohydrate and its importance in biology. Discuss its structure, whether it is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or polysaccharide. If it is a monosaccharide, discuss its various isomers, including where they are found and their approximate composition (i.e., percentages). If it is a disaccharide or polysaccharide, discuss its important linkages as well as where it is found in nature.
Also describe which carbohydrate test could be used to detect its presence in solution.
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Introduction
Carbohydrates are a class of organic compounds that contain carbon and have the general formula Cn(H2O)n. Carbohydrates can be divided into four groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Although there are over 180 different types of carbohydrates in nature, they all share this common structure:
For a particular carbohydrate, describe which carbohydrate test could be used to detect its presence in solution and explain the principle of that test.
For a particular carbohydrate, describe which carbohydrate test could be used to detect its presence in solution and explain the principle of that test.
The most common tests are turbidimetric, spectrophotometric, colorimetric and enzymatic.
Conclusion
The carbohydrate test can be used to detect a particular carbohydrate in solution. It works by using an enzyme that reacts with the carbohydrate to produce an end product that is detected spectrophotometrically at a specific wavelength.