Question:

What is a saccharide?

Updated On: Apr 12, 2024
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Solution and Explanation

Saccharides are the sugars or carbohydrates that are the essential components which serve as the main energy source, responsible for fueling many biochemical processes.

Saccharide molecules have a general formula as Cn(H2O)n. However, not all saccharides follow this formula, except simple sugars like glucose and fructose.

Saccharides are divided into 4 main groups based on the number of carbon atoms namely: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Oligosaccharides, and Polysaccharides.

1. Monosaccharides: These are termed simple sugars and contain only one carbon atom. These types of saccharides experience no hydrolysis. Examples: Glucose, Fructose, Galactose.

2. Disaccharides: When two monosaccharide molecules join together by glycosidic bond, they are termed as disaccharides. The hydroxyl groups of the two saccharide molecules combine to produce glycosidic linkages. Examples: Lactose, Sucrose, Maltose.

3. Oligosaccharides: These types of saccharides are composed of more than 2 monosaccharide units. Examples: Raffinose. Repeating units of glucose, galactose, and fructose makeup raffinose.

4. Polysaccharides: These are complex carbohydrates containing hundreds of monosaccharide units. Polysaccharides are also termed as glycans. Just like disaccharides, monomeric units of polysaccharides are also linked together by glycosidic bonds—examples: Starch, Cellulose, and Glycogen. 


 

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Using Franklin's data and their own modeling experiments, Watson and Crick proposed the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953. They suggested that DNA is composed of two complementary strands wound around each other in a spiral staircase-like structure, with the bases adenine (A) pairing with thymine (T), and guanine (G) pairing with cytosine (C).

This discovery provided insights into how genetic information is stored and transmitted from one generation to the next. It paved the way for a better understanding of DNA replication, protein synthesis, and the role of DNA in inheritance and evolution.

Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for their discoveries related to the structure of DNA. Unfortunately, Franklin, who made significant contributions to the field, passed away in 1958 and was therefore ineligible for the Nobel Prize.

The discovery of DNA revolutionized biology and has had far-reaching implications in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, forensics, and biotechnology. It has led to advancements in gene sequencing, genetic engineering, and the understanding of genetic diseases, ultimately shaping our knowledge of life itself.