🧬 CARBOHYDRATES EXPLAINED
By Meera R.
🇲🇾
🇮🇹
BSc. Industrial Biology (Hons) / Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MY (2022)
Currently: Master’s in Food and Health, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, IT
© Meera R. / @meerabuilds / Licensed for personal use only / Redistribution prohibited
, 1. Introduction
Carbohydrates are the body’s primary and most accessible source of energy, playing
a central role in metabolism, nutrition, and physiological function.
They are essential in:
● Energy metabolism → rapid ATP production, especially for brain and muscle
● Food science → structure, taste, and texture of foods
● Clinical nutrition → blood glucose regulation, metabolic health, disease states
Unlike fats and proteins, carbohydrates are uniquely positioned to provide quick,
regulated energy, making them critical for maintaining normal physiological function.
2. Classification of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units they contain.
A. Monosaccharides
Definition: Simplest form of carbohydrates; cannot be broken down further.
Key examples:
● Glucose → primary energy source for cells
● Fructose → metabolized mainly in the liver
● Galactose → component of lactose
Fructose and galactose are isomers of glucose. Fructose is a structural isomer, while
galactose is a stereoisomer.
© Meera R. / @meerabuilds / Licensed for personal use only / Redistribution prohibited
By Meera R.
🇲🇾
🇮🇹
BSc. Industrial Biology (Hons) / Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MY (2022)
Currently: Master’s in Food and Health, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, IT
© Meera R. / @meerabuilds / Licensed for personal use only / Redistribution prohibited
, 1. Introduction
Carbohydrates are the body’s primary and most accessible source of energy, playing
a central role in metabolism, nutrition, and physiological function.
They are essential in:
● Energy metabolism → rapid ATP production, especially for brain and muscle
● Food science → structure, taste, and texture of foods
● Clinical nutrition → blood glucose regulation, metabolic health, disease states
Unlike fats and proteins, carbohydrates are uniquely positioned to provide quick,
regulated energy, making them critical for maintaining normal physiological function.
2. Classification of Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are classified based on the number of sugar units they contain.
A. Monosaccharides
Definition: Simplest form of carbohydrates; cannot be broken down further.
Key examples:
● Glucose → primary energy source for cells
● Fructose → metabolized mainly in the liver
● Galactose → component of lactose
Fructose and galactose are isomers of glucose. Fructose is a structural isomer, while
galactose is a stereoisomer.
© Meera R. / @meerabuilds / Licensed for personal use only / Redistribution prohibited
