Carbohydrate Classification, Properties, and Functions

Carbohydrate Classification

Monosaccharides (Oses)

Classified according to the functional group:

  • Aldose
  • Ketose

Based on the number of carbon atoms:

  • Trioses (3)
  • Tetroses
  • Pentoses
  • Hexoses
  • Heptoses

Osids

  • Holosids
    • Oligosaccharides
    • Polysaccharides
      • Homopolysaccharides
      • Heteropolysaccharides
  • Heterosids

Carbohydrate Definition

Carbohydrates are compounds resulting from replacing one of the functional groups (-OH) of a polyalcohol with another functional group, either an aldehyde or a ketone.

General Characteristics of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates,

Read More

Invertebrate Animals: Sponges to Insects

Porifera and Coelenterata

Porifera, such as sponges, and Coelenterata, such as jellyfish and polyps, were once thought to be plants because they are often found fixed to a rocky or sandy substrate.

Porifera (Sponges)

The body of a sponge is shaped like a bag and is perforated by numerous pores, which communicate through its interior canals. The main cavity communicates with the outside through a hole called the osculum.

Coelenterates

  • Medusa: Umbrella-shaped with an opening at the bottom. They live floating
Read More

Eukaryotic Cells: Structures and Functions

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are organelles surrounded by two membranes, present in all eukaryotic cells. They are considered the power plants of the cell since they are the site of the oxidation of fatty acids and the aerobic phase of cellular respiration.

  • Outer membrane: Smooth and permeable.
  • External chamber: Located between the two membranes, with a composition very similar to the cytosol because of the permeability of the outer membrane.
  • Internal membrane: Presents a series of folds directed toward
Read More

Neuroendocrine Regulation and Homeostasis: Mechanisms and Impact

Neuroendocrine Regulation and Homeostasis

Pituitary and Hypothalamus

The pituitary is the main endocrine gland and is involved in regulating the hydrosaline balance, among other functions. The hypothalamus is a structure of the nervous system that controls the functioning of the pituitary.

Formation of Hypertonic and Hypotonic Urine

Glomerular filtration changes in its composition as it progresses through the various passages that form the renal tubule. Harmful substances are removed from the blood,

Read More

Fish Musculature: Trunk and Head Muscles

Trunk Muscles in Fish

Trunk muscles in fish consist of a series of muscle blocks called myotomes or myomeres, separated by connective tissue sheaths called myosepta. These myosepta represent the segmentation of the body. Some fish have red and white muscle cells (myofibers). The red fibers are oriented more or less parallel to the axis of the body, while white fibers can deviate as much as 45 degrees from the axis of the body. The myotomes are folded, just under the skin, and their outer edges resemble

Read More

Human Evolution: From Primates to Modern Homo Sapiens

  • Forelimbs endowed with great mobility: Prehensile toes, flat nails, opposable thumb, which promotes dexterity.
  • Stereoscopic vision: The position of the eyes in front, to calculate distances.
  • Unspecialized digestive system, which can have a very varied diet: plants, carrion, meat, insects.
  • A very limited number of descendants: With large units of the mother after birth, thereby developing a complex social behavior.

Genetic Changes Conditioning the Human Species: Hominization

It is a complex biological

Read More