Meet My Molecule Project

There are multiple uses of sucrose in everyday life, however it is most commonly used in human nutrition. Sucrose, also known as table sugar, is a disaccharide composed of fructose and glucose which are both monosaccharide.These monosaccharides are linked together with an oxygen atom. Sucrose is a sweet tasting powder that is often used a sweetening agent for foods and drinks. Sucrose is commonly found in desserts, as desserts entail a sweet taste which sucrose provides. It can also be found in foods such as jams, processed fruits and condensed milk. Sucrose is found predominantly in soda’s and energy drinks. Sucrose can have negative side effects on the human body if too much is consumed. Tooth decay can occur if teeth are improperly cleaned after the consumption of sugary foods and/or drinks. Obesity and gout are also possible side effects of the abused consumption of sucrose. Sucrose is not only used as a sweetener in foods and drinks, but medicines as well. It is often used in medications to convey a better taste to help mute the taste of chemicals, and to encourage patients to actually take their prescribed medicine. Sucrose is found in chewable tablets, syrups, and lozenges. These medications are available in sugar free dosages as well, due to the fact that sucrose is associated with dental issues, making diabetes worse, and weight gain.

The human body requires a constant supply of energy to function properly. No matter what you are doing, the body always requires energy, even when you’re sleeping. Energy is required to fuel the body’s internal functions, and helps to maintain cells and body tissues. Sucrose is a type of carbohydrate called a disaccharide. Disaccharides are made up of two monosaccharides, which are simpler sugars. Sucrose is made up of a glucose monosaccharide as well as a fructose monosaccharide. Carbohydrates such as sucrose can not provide any energy until metabolized and broken down into their monomers within the body. Sucrose is broken down by an enzyme called sucrase which is located in the gastrointestinal tract, more specifically the small intestine section. The enzyme sucrase breaks down sucrose into the monosaccharides glucose and fructose. The glucose is absorbed through villi surrounding the walls of the small intestine, into the bloodstream, which is then transported throughout the body. The glucose is used by cells, and especially the brain to produce energy and perform mental and physical activities. Glucose is converted into pyruvate (CH3COCOO− + H+) through a metabolic pathway called glycolysis. This is then used to form high energy compounds called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). Adenosine triphosphate can be used immediately to supply cells the energy required to process, or can be stored for a later use.