Polysaccharides Flashcards
Why is starch good for energy storage?
Starch exists in two different forms:
Amylose: unbranched spiralling chains of alpha-glucose molecules. Its coiled structure means that it is very compact so lots of amylose can be packed into a cell
Amylopectin: branched chains of alpha-glucose molecules. Its branches increases its surface area which means that the enzyme can quickly break it apart when glucose is needed for respiration
why is cellulose a good energy storage?
Long unbranched chains of beta-glucose molecules. Multiple chains are linked together by hydrogen bonding to form strong structures called microfibrils. The strong microfibrils in the cell wall help to give plant cells their shape and structural support.
why is glycogen a good energy storage?
Branched chains of alpha glucose, similar to amylopectin but with more side-branches. This gives it a large surface area for enzyme action to release glucose when energy is needed. It is more compact than amylopectin, which means more can be stored in a cell.
