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Candy Kingdom: Carbohydrate Classification

Mar 17, 2025

Lecture Notes: Carbohydrate Classification

Introduction

  • Theme: Understanding carbohydrates in a playful manner by comparing it to Candy Kingdom.
  • Objective: Learn about carbohydrate classification, the names, and structures of important carbohydrate molecules.

Basics of Carbohydrates

  • Definition: Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
  • Etymology: 'Carbohydrate' means 'watered carbon' (Carb H2O).

Monosaccharides

  • Definition: Monosaccharides are carbohydrate monomers that cannot be hydrolyzed into a simpler molecule.
  • Features: Also called simple sugars.

Classification by Carbon Number

  • Trioses: Carbohydrates with three carbons.
  • Tetroses: Carbohydrates with four carbons.
  • Pentoses: Carbohydrates with five carbons.
  • Hexoses: Carbohydrates with six carbons.
  • Pattern: Prefix based on number of carbons followed by '-ose' (e.g., triose, tetrose).

Functional Group Classification

  • Aldose: A carbohydrate where the most oxidized functional group is an aldehyde.
  • Visual Aid: Imagery of "Al in his aldehyde hat" to remember this classification.

Conclusion

  • The lecture used candy-themed analogies to explain the structure and classification of carbohydrates, making it easier to understand and recall the different types and their characteristics.