3.1.2 Carbohydrates Flashcards
What is a polysaccharide?
When more than two monosaccharides are joined together by condensation reactions.
What is amylose?
a long, unbranched chain of alpha glucose.
What are the properties of amylose?
The angles of the glycosidic bonds give it a coiled structure, almost like a cylinder. This makes it compact, so it’s really good for storage because you can fit more in to a small space.
What is starch a mixture of?
Two polysaccharides of alpha glucose - amylose and amylopectin.
Lots of ________ molecules are joined together by ________ _______ to form amylose.
alpha glucose, and glycosidic bonds
Starch is the main ______ _______ _______ in plants.
Energy storage material
Where do cells get energy from?
Glucose
What do plants store excess glucose as?
Starch
What does a plant do to starch when it needs more glucose for energy?
Breaks down the starch to release the glucose.
Starch is ________ in water.
Insoluble
What test can you use to detect if there is any starch in a test sample?
Iodine test
How do you conduct the iodine test?
Add iodine dissolved in potassium iodide solution to the test sample. If there is starch present, the sample changes from browny-orange to a dark, blue-black colour.
________ is the main energy storage material in animals.
Glycogen
What is amylopectin?
a long, branched chain of alpha glucose
What are the features of amylopectin?
Its side branches allow the enzymes that break down the molecule to get at the glycosidic bonds easily. This means that the glucose can be released quickly.
What is glycogen?
A polysaccharide of alpha-glucose
What do animals store excess glucose as?
Glycogen
What type of reaction breaks polymers apart?
Hydrolysis
