What are the 2 functions of carbohydrates?

Answer 1

Some functions of carbohydrates include:

1. Provide short term energy.

2. Create cell walls of plants (the human body uses this as fiber)

3. Create exoskeletons or cartilage.

4. If unused by the body, carbohydrates and their energy can be stored as a layer of fat.

Answer 2

Two functions of carbohydrates is as a source of immediate energy and to promote a healthy digestive system. Carbohydrates are also useful for providing stored energy, during periods of fasting.

Answer 3

Carbohydrates play a major role in promoting your health fitness. They form a major part of your food and help a great deal in building your body strength, by generating energy. In fact, they are one among the three prominent macronutrients that serve as excellent energy providers, the other two being fats and proteins. Carbs intake can take place in different forms like sugar, starch, fibers etc. Read further to explore information about carbohydrates function in the body…

The functions of carbohydrates are multiple and it is owing to this fact that it becomes all the more necessary to incorporate carbohydrates in your meal. For instant energy generation, sugars and starch act as the perfect fuel that enable you to carry out your physical activities efficiently and effectively. Fiber does wonders in keeping your bowel function going smooth.

Talking about the importance of carbohydrates, apart from its direct benefits, there is also an added advantage of carbs consumption and that is that carbs are found in different foods, which if eaten, also pave way for consuming other essential nutrients. Therefore, it is preferable to go in for distinctive carbohydrate food sources.

Carbohydrates add on to the taste and appearance of food item, thus making the dish tempting and mouthwatering. They are sometimes used as flavors and sweeteners. Carbs aid in regulating blood glucose and also do good to your body by breaking down fatty acids, thus preventing ketosis. So, eat plenty of foods that are rich sources of carbs, but it is recommended to go in for natural slow digesting carbs.

Answer 4

Carbohydrates are a source of energy for the cell and they can form structured materials. The most common carbs are glucose, fructose, and galactose. Carbs are made up of simple sugars called monomers. They produce startch molecules in chains and give strength and rigidity to plant cells. Carbs form hydrogen bonds.

Answer 5

The functions of carbohydrates are discussed below:

1. As a source of energy:

The main function of carbohydrate is to supply energy for the body processes. A greater part of the energy in the diet (more than 50-80%) is supplied by carbohydrates. Some of the carbohydrates are immediately utilized by the tissues and the remaining is stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles and some are stored as adipose tissues for future energy needs.

2. Protein-sparing action:

Carbohydrates are mainly utilized by the body of fulfilling the major part of the energy needs, thus sparing protein for tissue building and repairing. The first physiological demand of the body is the need for energy, which must be satisfied before the nutrients are used for other functions. So, this function of carbohydrates to spare protein for its primary purpose of body building and repair of tissues is an important one.

3. Essential for Fat Oxidation:

Even though fat yields twice as much as energy as carbohydrate for unit weight, carbohydrate is essential for oxidation of fats. The common expression that 'fat burns in the fire of carbohydrates' is used to emphasize that in absence of carbohydrates, fats cannot be oxidised by the body to yield energy. Recent studies have shown that oxalacetic acid, a breakdown product of carbohydrate is essential for the oxidation of acetate, which is the breakdown product of fats. In the absence of oxaloacetic acid acetate is converted into ketone bodies, which gets accumulated in the body and the person suffers from 'Ketosis'- a toxic condition of the body. Ketosis occurs in Diabetes, where the cells cannot utilise carbohydrates and in starvation, where the cells must use fat stores in the body as a source of energy.

4. Role in gastro-intestinal function:

Carbohydrates play an important role in the gastro-intestinal functions of mammals. Lactose promotes the growth of certain desirable bacteria in the small intestine which brings about the synthesis of certain B-complex Vitamins. Lactose also enhances the absorption of calcium. Cellulose provides fiber and bulk which helps in the stimulation of the peristaltic movements of the gastroinl tract.

5. Add flavor to the diet:

Carbohydrate foods add flavor, variety and the diet. Since they are non-irritant, easily digestible when cooked are consumed i amount and forms the staple food of human beings.

Source : http://www.preservearticles.com/201105146671/5-most-essential-functions-of-carbohydrates.html

Answer 6

to get you fat and for energy