Question
Question: Are amino acids basic units of carbohydrates?...
Are amino acids basic units of carbohydrates?
Solution
We need to know that carbohydrates are classified as two types. This classification is based on the functional monomer in the carbohydrates. In carbohydrates aldehyde and ketone act as monomers. According to that, carbohydrates are separated as aldose and ketose.
carbohydrates are also classified as many types depending on the number of the carbon atom. Depending on the value of n (3,4,5,6,...)are classified as (trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses etc…).
Complete answer:
The basic functional unit of carbohydrates is CH2O. It is a combination of carbon and water. The monomer unit of carbohydrate is CH2O. Glucose is a well known and simplest example for carbohydrates.
The Chemical Formula of glucose is C6H12O6. The simplest representation of glucose molecule is (CH2O)6.
The amino acids are basic units of proteins. The amino acids basic units of carbohydrates?
The monosaccharides are the basic units of carbohydrates.
According to the above discussion, we conclude amino acids are not the basic units of carbohydrates.
Additional information:
Carbohydrates are classified as three major groups. This classification is based on the hydrolysis of carbohydrates. There are monosaccharides, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides here means only one carboxylic group in the molecule. Respect that carboxylic group hydrolysis will happen. Glucose, fructose are examples of monosaccharides. Lactose and maltose are examples of oligosaccharides, because they contain more than one functional monomer in the structure. Starch, glycogen and cellulose are the examples of polysaccharides because they have more than three monomers in the structure.
Note:
We have to know that carbon and water are the basic units of carbohydrates. The word meaning of carbohydrate iscarbon + hydrate. Hydrate means nothing but water. Carbohydrates are also known as saccharides. The word meaning of saccharides is sugar. In the human body carbohydrates are stored as glycogen. In plants carbohydrates are stored as starch. It is the main source of energy for human beings.