What a TERRIBLE TEST SCORE!!!

     Our most recent Biology quiz only consisted of 10 questions and I just happened to do a terrible job on it. By all means I don't think a 60 some percent is very good. So I have decided to write this blog in order to try and help my quiz grade by informing you all about what I've retained and learned throughout Biology involving, saccharides, glycogen, carbohydrates, and so much more.

     A monosaccharide means single or one in other words. It includes glucose, galactose, and fructose. Most foods we eat may fall into this category due to the fact that monosaccharides include honey, fruit, and high-fructose corn syrup (THIS IS IN KOOL-AID) which we get from fructose.

Here is a diagram of the basic Monosaccharide molecule

     A disaccharide means two or double. When a disaccharide is created, one monosaccharide loses its Hydrogen (H) and another monosaccharide loses a Hydroxyl group which is OH. It includes sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Sucrose, also known as regular sugar is made up of glucose and fructose. Lactose, which is referring to milk is made up of glucose and galactose. While maltose which is found in many grains is made up of two parts glucose.

FUN FACT: some people are lactose intolerant, which means they are allergic to milk, these people are genetically unable to ingest milk properly.

This is a diagram of a Disaccharide

A polysaccharide means many, three or more. This includes starches or glucose polymers. A polymer is multiple monomers.

This is an example of a polysaccharide


Carbohydrates consist of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Starch and cellulose are macromolecules, carbohydrates, polymers, and monomers. Polymers and monomers are two completely different things but without one another they would not be able to form properly. A polymer is built from repeating units while monomers are built from links, like a chain that is continuously growing or building.

-In most plant structural material cellulose is often found. Cellulose is also very common in wood, cotton, and paper. Hydrogen bonds are common in cellulose because there are many -OH groups in the oxygen atoms.

-Many animals store excess glucose by polymerizing it forming glycogen. The glycogen that is stored withing their bodies gradually breaks down when the excess energy is needed.



EXPERIMENTATION
Iodine: In the lab we experimented with we combined various contents with iodine in a test tube. We observed that if the contents in the tube changed colors noticeably, like a blue color then the result were that the contents were starches. However if there was no visible change then it was obvious that they were not a starch.


Benedict's: We also combined different contents with Benedict's solution to determine whether or not it was a monosaccharide or a disaccharide. After mixing the contents with the solution, and placing it in a hot water bath for about three to five minutes, our results became very apparent. We observed that if the contents of the test tube turned a bright orange or yellow, then the solution was a monosaccharide. However if it turned a brown-ish color then the solution was a disaccharide. On the other hand if the solution had no visible change whatsoever, then it was a polysaccharide.

-Hope this helps my grade!!! =)