Role of carbohydrates or biological significance of carbohydrates:
1) They are an Instant source of energy for the living cell.
2) They have a protein sparing action.
3) They are involved in the breakdown of fatty acids & Hamper ketosis.
4) The glycocalyx is involved in biological Identity processes of immunoglobulin and MHCs.
5) carbohydrate are major dietary fibre (cellulose) and are used as the flavouring and sweetening agents.
6) Derivatives of cellulose (like cellulose nitrates) are used in explosives, lacquers, celluloid, collodion. Cellulose acetate is Applied in photographic film & packing materials.
7) Carbohydrate molecules function as a key component in Different central metabolic pathways and thus regulate metabolic processes in the body.
8) carbohydrate also serve as stored forms of energy as glycogen in liver and muscles.
9) The bacterial cell wall is made up of polysaccharides murein, N-Acetyl Muramic Acid(NAMA), N-Acetyl Glucosamine(NAG), along with many other amino acids linked by peptide linkage. Thus, carbohydrates provide Safety to bacterial cells.
10) They are important part of brain cells as neuraminie acids, cerebrosides (glycolipids) and gangliosides.
11) carbohydrate form the chief components of sulpholipids which are present in chloroplasts & in chromatophores of photosynthetic bacteria.
12) Pentose sugars (ribose & deoxyribose) form important component of nucleic acids.
13) Heparin (example of the glycosaminoglycan family of carbohydrates)-functions as a physiological anticoagulant.
14) Hyaluronic acid is an important component of the vitreous body (a clear gel present in the space between the lens and the retina of the eyeball) of the eye, umbilical cord, & as a lubricant in Synovial fluid of the joints.
15) Trehalose (a disaccharide) is the chief component of the haemolymph of insects, where it serves as the chief source of energy, also present in yeasts and other fungi.
16) Pentosans are present in plant gumis and mucilage.
17) Many glucosides are important drugs, such as glucoside of digitalis is used in the treatment of heart diseases.
18) found in milk.
19) Pectin ( heteropolysaccharide) forms primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. Also used in the manufacturing of jellies and to preserve food material.
20) Sialic acid (acetyl derivative of neuraminic acid, sugar'acid) is present as a chief component in tissues Mainly in the mucins & blood group substances.
21) Proteoglycans (absorption by fibroblasts, as receptors and carriers of macromolecules, cell growth regulators, and also influence the protein synthesis and intranuclear functions.
22) Inulin is used for clinical purposes in clearance tests.
23) Chondroitin sulphates A and C form the major structural Part of cartilage, tendons, and bones in association with collagen.
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