CARBOHYDRATES PAGES 294, 300 ADDITIONAL PAGES SITED WILL BE LISTED.

CARBOHYDRATESPAGES 294, 300ADDITIONAL PAGES SITED WILL BE LISTED.

Carbohydrates

Provides the body with energy. Source of glucose and are building

blocks for other nutrients. Divided into simple and complex

carbohydrates. Excess glucose can be converted to

fat.

Sugars

Simple sugars: monosaccharide (one sugar molecule)

1) Glucose2) Fructose3) Galactose4) Ribose

Cont: Sugars Disaccharide: (two sugar molecules)

1) Sucrose: glucose and fructose-sugar cane

2) Maltose: glucose and glucose-starchy plants

3) Lactose: glucose and galactose-milk Multiple sugars can bond and link to

form complex sugar polymers. Polymerized sugars include starch and fiber.

Functions of Carbohydrates

Ultimate source of energy Source of heat Building blocks for other nutrients Storage in body by converting into

adipose tissue or glycogen

Digestion of Carbohydrates

Carbs must be broken down to monosaccharides for absorption from the G.I. tract or are utilized directly by the body as energy.

Monosaccharides travel in the blood to the liver where they are converted to glycogen or fat for storage.

Glycogen

Glycogen is broken down when the blood glucose drops below the normal range. Glucose levels drop between meals as a result of insulin secretion.

Glycogen is an animal specific starch and can quickly depolymerize into units of glucose.

Glycogen is mostly stored in the liver muscle tissue and can be rapidly turned into glucose to supply immediate demand.

Fiber : pg 300

Many complex carbohydrates found in plant material are not easily digestible or used for energy.

They are subdivided into soluble and insoluble

Unlike starches, fiber is not digested in the stomach or small intestine. Once it enters the large intestine, it is excreted with the feces.

The Functions of Fiberpage 300

Fiber is different from starch in that most mammals cannot digest it. However, fermentation of fiber does occur in the large intestine of some simple-stomached animals.

The primary function of fiber is to increase bulk and water content. Fiber tends to decrease a diet’s digestibility and caloric density. Fiber is therefore useful in the treatment of obesity or management of gastrointestinal disorders. (Fills the stomach up without caloric intake.)

Cont. Fiber Function

Fiber helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by extending the time that nutrients are absorbed in the diabetic animal.

In most animals fiber assists in the regulation of bowel formation. It helps to loosen-up stool. It also plays an important role in maintaining normal colonic function by decreasing pathogenic intestinal bacteria and may play a part in preventing intestinal cancer.

Fiber and Ruminants

Ruminants have bacteria and protozoan microbes that can degrade fiber in the rumen, cecum and large intestine.

Fiber is a major energy source for grazing animals.

There are approximately 4 calories per gram of carbohydrate