Key Stage 3
Meaning
A carbohydrate is a nutrient in our diets that is used in the body for respiration.
About Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates can be split into two groups. Complex Carbohydrates like starch which are very important in our diet and Simple Carbohydrates called sugars that can be harmful if we eat to much of them.
Sugar
Sugar Molecules
- Sugar molecules are simple and the body can quickly get energy from them.
- You should know:
- Glucose - A sugar found in syrup and sweets.
- Fructose - A sugar found in fruits.
- Sucrose - Found in white sugar which is made of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule bonded together.
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| There are many different sugar molecules. These are just three examples.
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Sugar in foods
Foods with lots of sugars:
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| Fruit has lots of sugar but is healthy because it also has vitamins and fibre inside.
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Yoghurt has a lot of sugar but there are also some health parts like a mineral called Calcium.
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Sweets are full of sugar with nothing healthy in them.
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Energy drinks have nothing healthy in them and are packed with sugar.
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Starch
Starch Molecule
- Starch is made of hundreds of glucose molecules bonded together.
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| A starch molecule made of many smaller glucose molecules.
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Starch in Foods
Foods with lots of starch:
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| Bread makes part of a balanced diet because it has a lot of stored energy we can use.
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A balanced diet might contain pasta for energy.
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Potatoes are an excellent source of energy in a balanced diet.
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Rice is a very important part of many people's balanced diet.
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Testing for Starch
- Starch can be detected using Iodine Solution.
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| Iodine solution is an orange liquid. When the iodine solution is added to starch the iodine solution turns from orange to blue-black.
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