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

How is a prototype drug different from other drugs, How is a prototype drug...

How is a prototype drug different from other drugs in the same class?

Sex-limited traits, Sex-Limited Traits Sex Limited Traits are traits ex...

Sex-Limited Traits Sex Limited Traits are traits expressed only in one sex, although the genes controlling thcm arc prcscnt as wcll as transmitted to both thc sexes. Therefore,

Causes of malnutrition in inflammatory bowel disease, Q. Causes of Malnutri...

Q. Causes of Malnutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease? The causes of malnutrition include: • Decreased oral intake, which can be disease induced due to abdominal pain, dia

Neurulation in amphibians, Neurulation in Amphibians The first step i...

Neurulation in Amphibians The first step in the neurulation process is the flattening and thickening of dorsal ectoderm to form neural plate. The plate of cells are different

What are the habits effect on implant, Habits: Any abnormal habits need...

Habits: Any abnormal habits needs to be identified. Following habits may have detrimental effect on the implant: 1. Parafunction -  Bruxism/ Clenching 2. Tongue Thrusting

The km for an enzyme is equal to kcat, The Km for an enzyme A. is equal ...

The Km for an enzyme A. is equal to kcat, measured at low substrate concentration. B. is the substrate concentration that gives a velocity that is half the maximum velocity.

Explain fontan operation, Explain Fontan Operation ? The original Font...

Explain Fontan Operation ? The original Fontan operation was done in a case where classical Glenn operation had been done (end-Lo-end anastomosis of superior vena cava and lig

Explain the term lipids, Explain the term Lipids? If somebody discovers...

Explain the term Lipids? If somebody discovers that you have some knowledge of nutrition, you will be promptly shooted with two questions, first, "Oh! You really can tell how m

Explain about urinary system, Explain about Urinary system Urinary sys...

Explain about Urinary system Urinary system provides us with the service of disposing the waste products carried by blood. This function is also known as excretion.

What is the function of the skin in humans, Q What is the function of the s...

Q What is the function of the skin in humans? The skin is the external covering of the body. In humans its major functions are protection and perception of information from the

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