Carbohydrates, Biology

Assignment Help:

Carbohydrates

Fifty five to seventy per cent of the required energy in animals is derived from carbohydrates. However, fats and proteins can also be broken down and used for supplying energy. In most animals this happens only when the dietary intake of carbohydrates is low. In contrast, Drosophila uses only carbohydrates as a source of energy for its flight muscles and when the supply is exhausted the insect cannot fly even though it uses stored fat for other metabolic processes. Whereas, locusts are known to use only lipids for their long migratory flights. Most animals, however, use a variety of hexose sugars like glucose, fructose, mannose, and galactose as interchangeable sources of energy.

In this way no particular carbohydrate is really considered essential in a way similar to amino acids. But even if no carbohydrate is considered essential, growth of certain animals will be better on one type of sugar than on another. This can be explained better by the results of the following experiment. Young locusts showed that when dietary sugar was maltose growth was maximum or optimum and growth was minimum when no carbohydrate was given. Other sugars supported sub-optimal growth. What could be the reason for this difference? One of the main causes is the difference in the rate of movement of sugars across the gut wall into the blood. From the above experiment we can conclude that certain insects have a preference for a certain carbohydrate which can be called an essential or preferred nutrient. In the above experiment with locusts, maltose was the preferred nutrient.


Related Discussions:- Carbohydrates

Determine different varieties of the same phenotypical trait, For an indivi...

For an individual having a genotype formed of two different alleles that condition different varieties of the same phenotypical trait, upon what will the phenotypical feature actua

What is patient''s plasma osmolarity after the infusion, Tina administered ...

Tina administered 1 liter of sterile distilled water IV to a patient. Predict the direction (increase, decrease, no change) you would expect Tina's infusion to have produced in the

Class polychaeta - classification of coelom, Class Polychaeta - Classificat...

Class Polychaeta - Classification of Coelom There are mainly marine forms with distinct head, having eyes and tentacles, segments have lateral projections of the body wall ter

Which is most likely be fatal to marin fish populations, If we were to comp...

If we were to completely eliminate one group of marine organisms from ocean, which would most likely be fatal to Marin fish populations? Elimination of: a) Starfishes b) Dia

The movements of the foetus in which month of pregnancy, The first movement...

The first movements of the foetus and appearance of hair on its head are usually observed during which month of pregnancy? 1. Fourth month 2. Fifth month 3. Sixth month

Explain about coping mechanism, Q. Explain about Coping mechanism? Copi...

Q. Explain about Coping mechanism? Coping mechanism is defined as the skill used to reduce stress. In other words, these are consciously used skills. Overuse of coping mecha

Consider a ph scale while answering, What is the relationship of hydrogen i...

What is the relationship of hydrogen ion concentration in tomato juice relative to lemon juice and to pure water? Be as quantitative as you can (i.e., use numbers to describe the m

What do we mean by culture media, What Do We Mean By Culture Media? Cul...

What Do We Mean By Culture Media? Culture media, you would realize, is a solid or liquid preparation containing all the nutrients required by microbes for growth. So then, what

Explain the working of antioxidant function, Explain the working of antioxi...

Explain the working of antioxidant function? The antioxidant function depends on the number of hydroxyl groups and their positions. Among the various derivatives, flavonoids ar

Atrial arrhythmias-peri operative problems, Atrial Arrhythmias :  Atl...

Atrial Arrhythmias :  Atlial fibrillation is the most common rhythm abnormality after CABG. Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia and atrial flutter are less common. Increased sympat

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd