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

Are mollusc metameric beings, Q Are mollusc metameric beings? Exclusively a...

Q Are mollusc metameric beings? Exclusively analyzing this feature could it be said that molluscs are evolutionarily proximal to nematodes or to annelids? In molluscs there is

Effects of plant growth regulators on development, Effects of Plant Growth ...

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Development Like animals plants require input of energy from the outside environment to sustain growth and development. But unlike anim

Define the effect of deficiency of vitamin k, Define the Effect of Deficien...

Define the Effect of Deficiency of Vitamin K? Both excess and low intakes can have serious implications on human health, although such conditions arise rarely, these can often

Pvcs during recovery, As the heart rapidly slows during recovery from exerc...

As the heart rapidly slows during recovery from exercise, PVCs commonly occur and usually have no clinical significance. This may be a time when metabolic adjustments in the heart

Why is the amazon rainforest under risk of desertification, Q. Despite havi...

Q. Despite having a great biodiversity why is the Amazon Rainforest under risk of desertification? The natural soil of the Amazon Rainforest isn't very fertile but it is enrich

Explain heat preservation - method of food preservation, Explain Heat Prese...

Explain Heat Preservation - Method of Food Preservation? The process of heating was used centuries before its action was understood. Food is heated up or cooked. Heat kills mi

Determine the importance of educational history- assessment, Determine the ...

Determine the importance of Educational History- assessment  A complete school history includes information regarding a child's current grade placement, any grade repetitions o

What is spermatogenesis in human biology, What is Spermatogenesis in human ...

What is Spermatogenesis in human biology? The male sex cells, or sperm, are produced in the oval-shaped testes, the primary sex organs of the male reproductive system, in a pro

What are the benefits of plant-incorporated protectants, What are the benef...

What are the benefits of plant-incorporated protectants? Plant-incorporated protectants can be a promising pest management alternative where traditional pesticides may not be a

Preadmission preparation - nursing, Preadmission Preparation   Preadmi...

Preadmission Preparation   Preadmission preparation is most effective when the admission is planned and there is enough time for the nurse to provide necessary information to

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