Reduction is a chemical reaction that involves the gain of electrons, which results in a decrease in the oxidation state of an atom or molecule. Biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins can undergo reduction reactions. Carbohydrates can undergo reduction to form sugar alcohols, which have important industrial applications. For example, glucose can be reduced…
Oxidation of biomolecules refers to a process in which electrons are lost from a molecule, leading to a decrease in its energy content. Biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins can undergo oxidation in the presence of oxygen, which is a strong oxidizing agent. Carbohydrates, for example, can undergo oxidation to produce energy in the…
Glucose and sucrose are both carbohydrates commonly found in food. Glucose is a simple sugar, also known as a monosaccharide, with the chemical formula C6H12O6. It is the primary source of energy for most living organisms and is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and honey. Glucose is also a component of more complex carbohydrates such…
Mono- and disaccharides are two types of carbohydrates that are important for providing energy to the body. Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules that cannot be broken down into smaller units by hydrolysis. Some examples of monosaccharides include glucose, fructose, and galactose. Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharide units joined together by a glycosidic bond. Some…
Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients that provide energy to the body. They are organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with a general formula of (CH2O)n, where “n” can be any number. Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units they contain: Carbohydrates can also be classified as either…
