Polysacharrides Flashcards
What shape does amylose form and why?
It forms a helix due to the C-O-C bonds as glues is joined a1-4
What common large polymer does amylose make?
starch
What is the main backbone of amylopectin made up of?
Glucose a1-4
Where is glycogen found?
the liver and muscle of animals
Is glycogen branched?
Yes - like amylopectin but the branches are every 10-12 rather than 15-25, therefore more branches and the total number of glucose is higher
Where is inulin found?
Roots and tubers of plants
Describe the structure of inulin
It is a polymer of fructose with usually a glucose at each end to regulate osmosis and stabilise the membrane in drought. It isn’t digestible by humans
Why is glycogen quickly available?
It has a large amount of reducing ends
Where is chitin found?
The exoskeleton of insects
Describe the structure of cellulose
Chains of B1-4 glucose, several chains align and form microfibrils, arranged in random directions to give strength to plant cell walls
Compare the structure of chitin and cellulose
Same basic structure but OH at C2 is replaced by O=C-(NH)-CH3
How do you form these from sugars?
a) acidic sugars
b) amino sugars
c) dexoy sugars
a) acidic sugars - replace an OH with a COOH
b) amino sugars - replace an OH with a NH2
c) dexoy sugars - replace an OH with a H
What sugar does a bacterial cell wall contain?
Peptidoglycan - which is a heteropoly = alternating NAM and NAG linked by glycosidic bonds at B1-4
How are peptidoglycan chains held together/
By short chains in NAM - penicillin prevents cross links
What sugars are on blood groups:
a) O
b) A
c) B
a) O - GluNAc - gal - fuc
b) A - GluNAc - gal - fuc - galNAc
c) B - GluNAc - gal - fuc - gal
