polysaccharides Flashcards
what are polysacchrides?
lots of monosaccharides linked together
what are the functions of polysaccdhides?
storage of energy
structural
summarise glycogen?
very important storage molecule in animals
glucose units with mainly a(1 → 4) glycosidic links
sometimes an a(1 →6) branch is formed
what is a dendrimer?
dendrimer is a molecule with a tree-like structure.
what is the reasons that glyocgen is dendrimer?
a(1 → 4) linked strands
a(1 → 6) branch every 8-12 units
where are the 2 places glycogen is stored?
liver
muscles
glycogen synthesis?
glycogen synthase adds onto preexisting chains of 4+ residues
therefore a primer is required
a branching enzyme is also required for the formation of α(1→6) linkages
summarise carb loading?
3 days - exercise & avoid carbohydrates
3 days - consume primarily carbohydrate & reduce exercise
then race
carb loading pt2
initially, stores are depleted
in the second three days, the body works to maximise stores
what are the side effects of carb loading?
muscle stiffness
diarrhoea
chest pain
depression
summarise starch?
important storage molecule in plants
mixture of 2 glucose polymers - amylose and amylopectin
amylose - chain linked a(1 → 4)
amylopectin has a(1 → 6) branches as well
is starch solauble in water?
less soluble in water
what are the lab application of starch?
detection of starch using iodine (or of iodine using starch)
iodine & starch form a blue/black complex
glycogen behaves in a similar way
what do plants also contain?
plants also contain the polysaccharide cellulose
summarise cellouse?
important structural polymer in plants
glucose units linked between C1 & C4, like glycogen and starch
