Carbohydrate: Quick Facts

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A biochemical flowchart shows the metabolic pathways for carbohydrate utilization, including glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The diagram traces the conversion of glucose, fructose, and glycerol through various intermediates, leading to energy production, carbon dioxide release, and biosynthesis of amino acids and porphyrins. Key steps and branches are labeled, with colored boxes highlighting biosynthetic outputs.

starch granules

lactose crystal

Two structural diagrams compare glucose and cellulose: on the left, a single glucose molecule in a ring form, and on the right, a cellulose polymer made of repeating glucose units linked in a chain.

Assorted high-carbohydrate foods including various pasta shapes, bread, rolls, potatoes, corn on the cob, bananas, dried fruit, pretzels, and a bowl of honey with a dipper.

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Topics

mutarotation paramylon mucilage Polysaccharide Monosaccharide Disaccharide Oligosaccharide dextrin gentianose maltotriose Protein Hormone Lipid carboxylic acid hydrocarbon heterocyclic compound organosulfur compound Nucleic acid Steroid organometallic compound

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Key People

Emil Fischer.

Emil Fischer

German chemist

Fraser Stoddart

Fraser Stoddart

British-American chemist

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Gustav Georg Embden

German chemist

Norman Haworth, c. 1920.

Sir Norman Haworth

British chemist

Leloir, Luis Federico

Luis Federico Leloir

Argentine biochemist

J.J.R. Macleod, 1920

J.J.R. Macleod

Scottish physiologist

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Eduard Buchner

German biochemist