2.1.2: Polysaccharides Flashcards
What is the property of starch that makes it insoluble?
Starch is insoluble due to its large molecular size.
This characteristic prevents it from changing the water potential of a cell or affecting osmosis.
Why is the large size of starch advantageous for cells?
It cannot leave the cell.
This ensures that the starch remains available for energy storage within the cell.
What shape does amylose have, and why is it advantageous?
Amylose is spiral in shape, which enables it to be compacted.
This allows a large amount of amylose to fit into small spaces.
How does the structure of amylopectin benefit starch hydrolysis?
Amylopectin has branching strands that provide a larger surface area for enzyme attachment.
This facilitates the ready hydrolysis of starch back into glucose.
What is glycogen, and where is it primarily stored?
Glycogen is the major carbohydrate storage molecule found in animal cells, primarily stored in liver and muscle cells.
It serves as a reserve of glucose for energy release during respiration.
What happens to glucose when blood glucose levels are too high?
It is absorbed into cells and converted into glycogen for storage.
This process helps regulate blood sugar levels.
What type of reaction joins a-glucose monomers in glycogen?
Condensation reactions.
These reactions form glycosidic bonds between the monomers.
What types of glycosidic bonds are present in glycogen’s structure?
1,4 and 1,6-glycosidic bonds.
The high proportion of 1,6-glycosidic bonds contributes to glycogen’s highly branched structure.
True or False: Glycogen is a polymer made up of β-glucose.
False.
Glycogen is made up of α-glucose.
Fill in the blank: Glycogen is mainly stored in the _______ and _______ cells.
liver; muscle
These cells are essential for metabolism and energy storage.
