Understanding Basic Carbohydrate Structure and Classification

This section introduces the fundamental concepts of macromolecules with a focus on carbohydrates. The content explains their basic composition and classification into different categories based on complexity.

Definition: Carbohydrates are biological molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, typically following the general formula CH₂O.

Vocabulary: Monosaccharides are simple sugars that form single carbon rings and serve as the basic building blocks of more complex carbohydrates.

Example: Common monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, and fructose, which are the simplest forms of sugar that the human body can metabolize.

Highlight: The human body can only utilize sugars in their monosaccharide form, requiring enzymatic breakdown of more complex carbohydrates.

Quote: "The human body relies on enzymes to break down disaccharides into monosaccharides that we can use."