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Carbohydrates

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Submitted By ajeealexander
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Ajee Alexander
Chef Randy
October 12, 2012
Introduction to Culinary
The Wonderful World of Carbohydrates! In the world of carbohydrates things get interesting. They can range from simple to complex in a split second. Carbohydrates are pronounced kar-bo-HY-drate and they are also known as carbs. Laura Dolson states that a carbohydrate is a component of food that supplies energy to the body, but that’s not all they are. They have a biological approach, a human body approach, and a food approach that can get complex but manageable. Starting with the biological aspect of carbohydrates, they are one of the organic compounds found in all living things, and are one of the most important categories of biomolecules. They the main sources of energy for animals and plants and are also produced during photosynthesis. Carbohydrates have monosaccharides, disaccharides, oliqosaccharides, heterosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Examples are glucose, fructose, and lactose. Carbs also consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Most carbohydrates are in sugars, starches, cellulose, and gums. Now, with the human body approach things are pretty easy to understand. We all know that carbohydrates provide the body with energy, but it’s a fact that the glucose from carbs is in the blood and extracellular fluids. “When carbohydrates needed for the functioning of the central nervous system, the muscles and the other body systems and functions are insufficient in the diet (as during a fast or on a weight-loss diet), stored adipose tissue (fat) is broken down into glucose to make up the caloric deficit. Some amino acids, instead of being used to make proteins, are deaminated and used as carbohydrates to supply energy. The formation of glucose from amino acids is called gluconeogenesis. This phenomenon enables one to maintain normal blood sugar levels during a fast.” Carbohydrates also

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