polysaccharides Flashcards
what are polysaccharides?
macromolecules formed by many monosaccharides joined together through glycosidic bonds
what are macromolecules?
large molecules
what is starch, glycogen and cellulose?
polysaccharides
what is starch made up of?
amylose and amylopectin
where is starch found?
in plants
what glucose makes up starch?
alpha glucose
describe the shape of amylose
unbranched helix shape
describe the shape of amylopectin
branched chain
where is glycogen found?
in animals and fungi
what glucose makes up glycogen?
alpha glucose
describe the shape of glycogen
a very branched chain
where is cellulose found?
in plants cell wall
what glucose makes up cellulose?
beta glucose
describe the shape of cellulose
an unbranched chain of beta glucose
why is cellulose strong?
many hydrogen bonds form between chains
why is compactness good for storage?
large quantities can be stored
what is the function of starch?
the main storage polysaccharide in plants
where in plants is starch found?
in plastids (e.g. chloroplasts)
why does starch take a long time to digest?
there are many monomers
what is the function of glycogen?
the main storage polysaccharide in animals and fungi
where is glycogen mostly found and why?
in liver or muscle cells as this is where the most cellular respiration happens
what do glycogens many branches mean?
it is more compact so can store more
can glucose be added/removed easily from glycogen?
yes
why is cellulose used as a plant cell wall?
can stretch without breaking and freely permeable
