What is the Difference Between Carbohydrates and Proteins?

Carbohydrates and proteins are both macronutrients, meaning they are nutrients that are required daily in large quantities. They are essential for various bodily functions and serve as sources of energy. However, they differ in their chemical composition, functions, and dietary requirements. Here are the main differences between carbohydrates and proteins:

1. Chemical Composition: Carbohydrates and proteins both contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules, but in different proportions. Proteins also contain nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. The key difference is that monosaccharides or simple sugars are the monomers of carbohydrates, while amino acids are the monomers of proteins.
2. Functions: Carbohydrates are the main energy source in the body, while proteins serve as the building blocks of the body, making hormones, muscles, and other proteins. Proteins also play important roles as molecule transporters, hormones, disease-fighting agents, and enzymes.
3. Dietary Intake: The majority of daily calories should come from carbohydrates, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Proteins, on the other hand, provide 4 calories per gram, just like carbohydrates, but they are not the primary energy source.
4. Digestion: Carbohydrates are digested by enzymes such as amylase, sucrase, and maltase within the gastrointestinal tract, while proteases and peptidases catalyze protein digestion.

In summary, carbohydrates and proteins differ in their chemical composition, functions, and dietary requirements. Carbohydrates are primarily energy sources, while proteins serve as the building blocks of the body and have various other functions.

Comparative Table: Carbohydrates vs Proteins

Here is a table comparing the differences between carbohydrates and proteins:

Carbohydrates are sugars (saccharides) by nature, with their monomeric unit being a monosaccharide connected by a glycosidic bond. They are the main energy source for the human body. On the other hand, proteins are complex, nitrogenous compounds that help in building the structural composition of any living body. They are composed of amino acid residues linked together by peptide bonds. Proteins are responsible for constructing the structural organization of the body, like new cells and muscles, while carbohydrates act as fuel or energy suppliers for the cells in our body.