Carbohydrate - Sources, Daily Requirement and Function | Biology Class 12

Zoology | Notes

Carbohydrate - Sources, Daily Requirement and Function

Class: 12

Carbohydrates are main source of energy and are defined as hydrates of carbon where carbon, hydrogen and oxygen are present in the ratio of 1:2:1. The fundamental unit of carbohydrate is monosaccharide and glucose is most important of these. The modern definition of carbohydrate is the compounds that are polyhydroxy of either aldehyde or ketone.

Carbohydrates are categorized into monosaccharide, oligosaccharide and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides are simplest carbohydrates that are readily absorbed and can produce immediate energy. Oligosaccharide is the union of 2-10 monosaccharides through glucosidal bond. Out of oligosaccharide, disaccharide is most common which compress monosaccharide. The polysaccharide is the polymer of monosaccharide which should undergo digestion process for being absorbed. Cellulose, starch etc are the examples of polysaccharides.

Daily Requirements

The daily requirement of carbohydrate varies according to activities. A normal healthy person needs about 450 gm carbohydrate daily. However carbohydrate requirement may rise up for athletes, laborers, pregnant women.

Source of Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are most easily available and economical source of energy. The best source of carbohydrate are maize, rice, potato, sugarcane, fruits, honey, bread, milk, etc.

Functions

1. It is a cheap source of energy to animals.
2. It acts as structural component as DNA and RNA also contain pentose sugar which is the type of carbohydrate.
3. It is stored as reserved food in the form of glycogen in animal and starch in plants. The reserved food is utilized in deficiency.
4. These are intermediate compounds formed during photosynthesis and respiration.

Read this also:

• Application of Biology in Aspect to Zoology | Class 12
• Progressive Wave and Its Equation | Physics Class 12
• The Heritage of Words - Complete Summary | Compulsory English Class 12
• Permutation - Theorem -1 with Proof and Example | Mathematics Class 12

Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT. Please Join with us on Facebook and Google+ for daily Notes and Updates.