• The most well-known carbohydrate?monomer?is?glucose?ATP
• Glucose has the molecular formula?C6H12O6
• Glucose is the most common?monosaccharide?and is of central importance to most forms of life
• There are different types of monosaccharide formed from molecules with varying numbers of carbon atom, for example:
  • Trioses (3C) eg. glyceraldehyde
  • Pentoses (5C) eg. ribose
  • Hexoses (6C) eg. glucose

   

• Glucose exists in two structurally different forms –?alpha (α)?glucose and?beta?(β) glucose?and is therefore known as an?isomer
  • This structural variety results in different functions between carbohydrates

   

Straight chain and ring structural formula of alpha & beta glucose

• Different?polysaccharides?are formed from the two isomers of glucose

Structure of Polysaccharides Table