Carbohydrates+and+Lactose

Carbohydrates pgs. 28-29

1. Carbohydrates provide quick and short-term energy storage in living things. 2. A simple sugar is a carbohydrate with a low number of carbon atoms. For example, glucose only has 6 carbon atoms. 3. A complex carbohydrate has many carbon atoms because it is made up of chains of glucose units. 4. Starch is a form of glucose stored in plants. It has chains and chains of glucose units, some of which may be as long as 4,000 units. Starch is found in foods like potatoes. 5. Glycogen is a form of glucose found in animals. In humans, the liver stores glucose in the form of glycogen, and releases it in between eating. 6. Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate that is hard for our bodies to digest. It is hard to digest because its glucose units are joined in a unique way. As cellulose passes through our digestive system, it serves as fiber. 7. Carbohydrates high in fiber have been proven to decrease chances of heart disease and cancer. As fiber passes through the small intestine it absorbs cholesterol. Also, the fiber in carbohydrates helps the digestive system by preventing constipation. Other carbohydrates though, like sugar, have been proven to cause diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. A high sugar diet may cause immune system disfunction and withdrawel symptoms if altered. 8. Carbs can be like a poison because they can detrimental to our health and addictive like a drug.



Lactose pg. 151

Lactose intolerance is caused when a person does not have the brush border enzyme. If a person is missing the enzyme, they can not digest lactose and will experience diarrhea, gas, bloating and cramps after having certain dairy products. Lactose intolerant people can eat dairy products in which the lactose has been broken down previously. These foods include yogurt, cheese, and lactose-free milk.