What are the functions of carbohydrates in the cell?

For the normal functioning of the human body, fundamental substances are needed, from which all the structural parts of the cell, tissue and the whole organism are built. These are compounds such as:

• proteins;
• lipids;
• carbohydrates;
• nucleic acids.
  

All of them are very important. It is impossible to distinguish among them more or less significant, because the lack of any leads the body to inevitable death. Consider what compounds such as carbohydrates are, and what role they play in the cell.

The general concept of carbohydrates

From the point of view of chemistry, complex oxygen-containing organic compounds are called carbohydrates, the composition of which is expressed by the general formula C _n (H ₂ O) _m . Moreover, the indices must be either equal to or greater than four.

The total carbohydrate content in the cells of living organisms is not the same. So, vegetable ones contain them about 80%, while animals - only 2-3%. By themselves, these molecules are not in vain received such a name. After all, it just reflects their atomic composition: carbon atoms and water molecules, connected in a certain way.

The functions of carbohydrates in a cell are similar for plants, animals, and humans. What are they, consider below. In addition, the compounds themselves are very diverse. There is a whole classification that combines them all into one group and at the same time divides them into different branches depending on the structure and composition.

Chemical structure and properties

What is the structure of the molecules of this class? After all, this is what will determine what the functions of carbohydrates are in the cell, what role they will play in it. From a chemical point of view, all substances under consideration are aldehyde alcohols. The structure of their molecule includes the aldehyde group —OH, as well as the alcohol functional groups —OH.

There are several options for formulas with which you can depict the structure of carbohydrate.

1. Molecular - reflects the qualitative and quantitative composition of the compound, but does not show the connection between atoms and does not speak about the structure and properties.
2. Structural . Full or abbreviated, reflects the order of the atoms in the molecule, so properties can be predicted from it.
3. Fisher's projection formulas. A combination of horizontal and vertical lines, the intersection of which coincides with the number of stereocentric carbon atoms. In this case, the atom of the aldehyde group is shown separately.
4. Heworth formulas. Used to write the cyclic structure of sugars, both simple and complex.
   

Looking at the last two formulas, one can predict the function of carbohydrates in the cell. After all, their properties will become clear, and hence the role.

The chemical properties that sugars exhibit are due to the presence of two different functional groups. So, for example, like polyhydric alcohols, carbohydrates are able to give a qualitative reaction with freshly precipitated copper (II) hydroxide, and like aldehydes, they are oxidized to gluconic acid as a result of the reaction of a silver mirror.

Carbohydrate classification

Since the molecules under consideration are very diverse, chemists created a unified classification that combines all similar compounds into specific groups. So, the following types of sugars are distinguished.

1. Simple, or monosaccharides. Contain one subunit in the composition. Among them pentoses, hexoses, heptoses and others are distinguished. The most important and common are ribose, galactose, glucose and fructose.
2. Complicated . Consist of several subunits. Disaccharides - of two, oligosaccharides - from 2 to 10, polysaccharides - more than 10. The most important among them: sucrose, maltose, lactose, starch, cellulose, glycogen and others.

The functions of carbohydrates in the cell and the body are very important, therefore, all of the listed variants of the molecules are of importance. Each of them has its own role. What are these functions, consider below.

The functions of carbohydrates in the cell

There are several of them. However, there are those that can be called the main, determining, and there are secondary. To better understand this issue, you should list them all in a more structured and understandable way. So we find out the function of carbohydrates in the cell. The table below will help us with this.

Obviously, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of the substances in question, since it is they that underlie many vital processes. Consider some of the functions of carbohydrates in the cell in more detail.

Energy function

One of the most important. No food consumed by a person can give him as many kilocalories as carbohydrates. After all, it is precisely 1 gram of these substances that breaks down with the release of 4.1 kcal (38.9 kJ) and 0.4 grams of water. Such an exit is able to provide energy for the work of the whole organism.

Therefore, we can say with confidence that the carbohydrates in the cell perform the functions of suppliers or sources of strength, energy, livelihood, and the implementation of any type of activity.

It has long been noticed that sweets, which are carbohydrates for the most part, are able to quickly restore strength and give energy. This applies not only to physical training, stress, but also to mental activity. After all, the more a person thinks, decides, thinks, teaches, etc., the more biochemical processes occur in his brain. And for their implementation requires energy. Where to get it? The answer is simple: carbohydrates, or rather, products that contain them, will give it.

The energy function performed by the compounds in question allows you to not only move and think. Energy is needed for many other processes:

• building the structural parts of the cell;
• gas exchange;
• plastic exchange;
• discharge;
• blood circulation and so on.

All vital processes require a source of energy for their existence. This provides carbohydrates for living things.

Plastic

Another name for this function is construction, or structural. It speaks for itself. Carbohydrates are actively involved in the construction of important macromolecules in the body, such as:

• DNA
• RNA
• ATP.
• ADP and others.

It is thanks to the compounds under consideration that glycolipids are formed - one of the most important molecules of cell membranes. In addition, the cell wall of plants is built from cellulose, that is, a polysaccharide. She is the main part of wood.

If we talk about animals, then in arthropods (crustaceans, spiders, ticks), protists, the cell membrane includes chitin - a polysaccharide. The same component is found in fungal cells.

Thus, the carbohydrates in the cell act as building materials and allow many new structures to form and decay old with the release of energy.

Reserve

This feature is very important. Not all energy that enters the body with food is consumed immediately. Part of it remains enclosed in carbohydrate molecules and is deposited in the form of reserve nutrients.

In plants, this is starch, or inulin, in the cell wall - cellulose. In humans and animals - glycogen, or animal fat. This is to ensure that there is always a supply of energy in case of starvation of the body. So, for example, camels store fat not only for energy during its breakdown, but, for the most part, for the release of the required amount of water.

Protective function

Along with the above, the functions of carbohydrates in the cell of living organisms are also protective. This can be easily verified if we analyze the qualitative composition of the resin and gum formed at the site of injury to the structure of the tree. By their chemical nature, these are monosaccharides and their derivatives.

Such a viscous liquid does not allow foreign pathogens to penetrate into the tree and harm it. So it turns out that the protective function of carbohydrates is carried out.

Also, an example of this function can serve such formations in plants as thorns, thorns. These are dead cells, which are composed primarily of cellulose. They protect the plant from being eaten by animals.

The main function of carbohydrates in the cell

Of the functions that we have listed, of course, we can single out the most important. After all, nevertheless, the task of each product containing the substances in question is to assimilate, break down and give the body the energy necessary for life.

Therefore, the main function of carbohydrates in the cell is energy. Without a sufficient amount of vitality, not a single process, both internal and external (movement, facial expressions, etc.), can normally proceed. And more than carbohydrates, not a single substance can give an energy output. Therefore, we designate this role as the most important and significant.

Carbohydrate Products

Generalize once again. The functions of carbohydrates in the cell are as follows:

• energy;
• structural;
• stocking;
• protective;
• receptor;
• heat insulating;
• catalytic and others.

What foods must be consumed in order for the body to receive a sufficient amount of these substances every day? A short list, which contains only the most carbohydrate-rich foods, will help us figure this out.

1. Plants whose tubers are rich in starch (potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke and others).
2. Cereals (rice, barley, buckwheat, millet, oats, wheat and others).
3. Bread and all bakery products.
4. Cane or beet sugar is a pure disaccharide.
5. Macaroni and all their varieties.
6. Honey - 80% consists of a racemic mixture of glucose and fructose.
7. Sweets - any confectionery that tastes sweet is a source of carbohydrates.

However, it is also not worth abusing the listed products, because this can lead to excessive deposition of glycogen and, as a result, obesity, as well as diabetes.