Topic 1- biological molecules: polysaccharides

Question 1

Polysaccharides

Answer 1

polymers containing many monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds.
mainly used for energy storage and as structural components of cells

Question 2

Starch- function

Answer 2

• major carb storage in plants
• stored as intracellular starch grains in plastids
• produced from C6H12O6 during photosynthesis
• broken down during resp. for energy

Question 3

Starch- structure

Answer 3

• forms a helix
• stabilised by many H bonds

Question 4

Amylopectin- structure

Answer 4

• branched
• insoluble
• large
• alpha 1,6 bonds

Question 5

Amylose- structure

Answer 5

• unbranched
• coiled, compact
• alpha 1,4 bonds

Question 6

Glycogen- function

Answer 6

• carb storage for animals
• stored as small granules in the muscles and liver

Question 7

Glycogen- structure

Answer 7

• many alpha 1,6 bonds
• heavily branched (easily hydrolised)
• less dense and more soluble than starch

Question 8

Cellulose- function

Answer 8

• main part of plant cell wall
• prevents cells from bursting when they take in excess H2O

Question 9

Cellulose- structure

Answer 9

• beta 1,4 glycosidic bonds
• straight, unbranched chains with high tensile strength due to H bonds
• forms microfibrils