Name: Important Sources of Vitamins
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 2 min 57 s
Description: Vitamins are essential for several biochemical reactions and the development of the body. This video describes their sources, types based on their solubility...

Question

What is the difference between carbohydrates and proteins?

Accepted Answer

Carbohydrates are compounds of $C, H, O$ with the general formula of $C_{x} {(H_{2} O)}_{y}$ i.e, hydrates of carbon. But all the compounds which fit into this formula may not be classified as carbohydrates. Hence, carbohydrates are defined as optically active polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones or the compounds which produce such units on hydrolysis. The building blocks of carbohydrates are monosaccharides. They provide fuel to the body in the form of energy, that is why they are also known as energy-giving foods. The sources of carbohydrates are potatoes, flour, sugar, etc.

Example- glucose( $C_{6} H_{12} O_{6}$ ), fructose( $C_{6} H_{12} O_{6}$ ), sucrose( $C_{12} H_{22} O_{12}$ ), etc.

Proteins- The term protein is derived from the Greek word 'proteios' means the first rank, because the proteins are ranked first amongst the natural polymer essential for the growth and maintenance of life. These are the polymers of $α$ -amino acids joined together by peptide bond and make upto $15 %$ by mass of our body. Therefore, the building blocks of proteins are amino acids. The chief source of proteins is pulses, cheese, milk, eggs, etc. They can be classified on the basis of their solubility as simple, conjugate, and derived proteins. They help in proper growth and building healthy body cells, that is why they are also known as body-building foods.

Example- Albumin in egg, fibroin in silk, keratin in hair, etc.

What is the difference between carbohydrates and proteins?

Important Questions on Biomolecules

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