
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates exist in many different forms.
The word carbohydrate refers to any one of a huge group of compounds that contain the elements carbon (C), oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) and have the general formula: Cx(H2O)y.
Examples of carbohydrates include sugars and starch.
Why are they important?
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Carbohydrates are an important source of energy.
They are produced by plants, in which carbohydrates form important structural and storage materials, e.g. cellulose and starch, respectively. - Carbohydrates are ingested into the human body as food (incl. sugary drinks).
- Carbohydrates are one of the three main parts of the human diet - the others being fat and protein.
How does the body process, use, and store carbohydrates?
All carbohydrates ingested as part of the diet are eventually broken-down by the body into the simple sugar glucose - which can participate in energy-generating metabolic processes.
Excess carbohydrates, ingested but not needed by the body immediately are stored in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen.
More about the Digestive System:
This section includes pages about:
- Introduction to the Digestive System
- Terminology about Digestion
- Passage through the alimentary tract
- Component Parts of the Digestive System, incl. Teeth, Stomach, Liver, Small Intestine, Large Intestine
- Chemical Processes in the Digestive System (introductory level)
- Diseases and Disorders of the Digestive System
For further information see also our pages of books about gastroenterology.
- The digestive system (introduction)
- Digestive System Terminology
- Main Stages of the Digestive Process
- Transit through the Alimentary Canal
- Absorption Sites
- Structures of the mouth
- Teeth - as part of the digestive system
- Stomach
- Liver
- Small Intestine
- Large Intestine
- Defecation
- Digestive System Diseases & Disorders