Question

Give the role of carbohydrates in the metabolic activity in humans.

Answer 1

The carbohydrates are called the energy-giving foods. Their role in human metabolism is as follows:

1) To provide energy to the cells of the body. Brain cells can use only the glucose as the energy source. Glucose releases the highest amount of energy.

2) Excess of glucose can be stored in the body as glycogen and can be used in the times of scarcity of energy source.

3) Glucose is used in the production of ribose sugars for the ATP, RNA, and DNA as well as for the NADPH.

4) Use of glucose prevents the breakdown of proteins and lipids. The use of glucose also prevents the ketosis that occurs when body cells use ketone bodies for energy in the scarcity of glucose. Ketosis leads to an increase in the acidic level of blood.