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Carbohydrate - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Carbohydrate : (noun)
1: an essential structural component of living cells and source
of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small
molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are
classified according to the number of monosaccharide
groups they contain [syn: saccharide, sugar]
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Carbohydrate : \Car`bo*hy"drate\, n. [Carbon _ hydrate.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
One of a group of compounds including the sugars, starches,
and gums, which contain six (or some multiple of six) carbon
atoms, united with a variable number of hydrogen and oxygen
atoms, but with the two latter always in proportion as to
form water; as dextrose, C6H12O6.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Carbohydrate : Carbohydrate: Mainly sugars and starches, together constituting one of the three principal types of nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Carbohydrates can also be defined
chemically as neutral compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
Carbohydrates come in simple forms such as sugars and in complex forms such as starches and fiber . The body breaks down most sugars and starches into glucose, a simple sugar that the body can
use to feed its cells. Complex carbohydrates are derived from plants. Dietary intake of complex carbohydrates can lower blood cholesterol when they are substituted for saturated fat.
Carbohydrates are classified into mono, di, tri, poly and heterosaccharides. The smallest carbohydrates are monosaccharides such as glucose whereas polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose and
glycogen can be large and even indeterminate in length.
The energy produced by carbohydrates is 4 calories per gram. Proteins also provide 4 calories per gram. Fats are high-cal; they provide 9 calories per gram.
Etymology: Carbohydrates are called carbohydrates because the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen they contain are usually in the proportion to form water with the general formula Cn(H2O)n.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Example Usage of Carbohydrate |
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