carbohydrates 3

Question 1

cellulose is a homopolysaccharide, what are the monomers

Answer 1

beta-glucose

Question 2

describe the layout of cellulose chains

Answer 2

dont spiral like alpha glucose chains, these are beta chains which are straight and lay side by side

Question 3

why is cellulose chains intervally inverted by 180n degrees

Answer 3

because the hydrogen and hydroxyl group on carbon 1 invert.

Question 4

every other b glucose molecule in the cellulose chain is inverted by 180 degrees, what does this allow.

Answer 4

this and the 1,4 glycosidic bonds prevents spiralling

hydrogen bonds are also made between the rotated b glucose molecules therefore additional strength

Question 5

how is a microfibril chain created

Answer 5

when 60 or 70 cellulose chains are bound together through hydrogen bonds, it forms a microfibril

Question 6

what do multiple microfibrils form

Answer 6

a macrofibril

Question 7

where are macrofibrils used

Answer 7

used to form cell walls

Question 8

why is cellulose good for cell walls

Answer 8

strength because of multiple 1,4, glycosidic bonds and hydrogen bonds.

macrofibrils criss cross for extra strength

cellulose is indigestable due to glycosidic bonds being less easy to break