Carbohydrates are the most abundant ckass of organic compounds. Carbohydrates have general formula ( ). This formula suggests that they are hydrates of carbon with few exceptions. Recall that plants synthesize carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
6 H2O-II + 6 CIVO2-II → C60H12O6-II + 6 O20
This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:
6 CIV + 24 e- → 6 C0
(reduction)
12 O-II - 24 e- → 12 O0
(oxidation)
Plants coverts glucoseinto starch and cellulose. Carbohydrates are monomersand polymers of aldehydes and ketones that have numerous hydroxyl groups attached.
