Polysaccharides Flashcards
What is a polysaccharide?
A carbohydrate
How is a polysaccharide formed?
A large number of monomers/monosaccharides joined together
How do the monosaccharides join together to form a polysaccharide?
Through a condensation reaction
How is a polysaccharide broken down?
Through a hydrolysis reaction
What are the 3 polysaccharides?
- Starch
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
What 2 polysaccharides of alpha glucose make starch?
- Amylose
2. Amylopectin
What gives Amylose it’s coiled structure?
The glycosidic bonds
Give one advantage of amylose?
It can be stored more easily because it’s compact and can fit into smaller spaces
Describe the structure of amylopectin.
- Unbranched chain of alpha glucose
2. It has side branches (which allow the enzyme to break the glycosidic bond more easily)
What do animals store glucose as?
Glycogen
Describe the structure of Glycogen.
- Many side branches (allow the glucose to be released quicker)
- Compact and good for storage
Alpha Glucose
What type of glucose is Cellulose made from?
Beta Glucose
Describe the structure of Cellulose.
- Unbranched chains of beta glucose
2. Cellulose chains are linked together with hydrogen bonds
What forms when beta-glucose molecules join together?
Cellulose Chains
What kind of fibres are formed when cullose chains join together by hydrogen bonds?
Microfibrils
