🍞 DAT Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides & Polysaccharides Explained

Carbs are essential biological macromolecules tested for:

• Molecular recognition

• Structure-function

• Digestion and absorption

• Energy pathways (glycolysis, respiration)

🧪 Types of Carbohydrates

1. Monosaccharides (Simple sugars)

• Formula: (CH₂O)ₙ

• Examples: glucose, fructose, galactose

• Serve as monomers for larger carbs

• Exist as linear chains or ring structures

2. Disaccharides (Two monosaccharides)

• Formed via dehydration synthesis

• Bonded with glycosidic linkages

• Examples:

  • Sucrose = glucose + fructose

  • Lactose = glucose + galactose

  • Maltose = glucose + glucose

3. Polysaccharides (Many sugars)

• Long chains of glucose or other monosaccharides

• Can be branched or unbranched

• Examples:

  • Starch: plant energy storage

  • Glycogen: animal energy storage (in liver/muscle)

  • Cellulose: plant structural fiber (β-linkages)

  • Chitin: exoskeleton of insects (contains nitrogen)

🔍 DAT-Style Functional Comparison Table

Type	Example	Function	Linkage Type
Monosaccharide	Glucose	Cellular energy	—
Disaccharide	Lactose	Nutrient/digestion	Glycosidic (α or β)
Polysaccharide	Starch	Energy storage (plants)	α(1→4), α(1→6)
Polysaccharide	Cellulose	Structural support (plants)	β(1→4)
Polysaccharide	Glycogen	Energy storage (animals)	Highly branched α(1→6)

📚 DAT Question Examples

• “Which polysaccharide is found in insect exoskeletons?”

• “What type of bond connects monosaccharides?”

• “Which carbohydrate contains β-glycosidic linkages?”

🧠 Tips for DAT Carbohydrate Mastery

• Learn α vs. β glycosidic linkage structure

• Memorize which carb is in plants vs. animals

• Know monomer types and functions

• Don't confuse cellulose (β) with starch (α)

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