Polymers of Carbohydrates Flashcards
1
Q
What is a polysaccharide?
A
many monosaccharides joined together (through condensation)
2
Q
What is saccharide and ose?
A
carbohydrates and sugars
3
Q
What are the four polymers of carbohydrates?
A
cellulose
starch - amylose and amylopectin
glycogen
4
Q
What is cellulose?
A
- plant cell wall
- made from beta glucose
- has glycosidic bonds
- unbranched / straight chain
- it is strong - provides structure for plant cell walls
- insoluble
5
Q
What is amylose in starch?
A
- plants - glucose / energy storage
- made from alpha glucose
- has glycosidic bonds
- unbranched + coiled - compact storage of glucose
- insoluble - doesn’t affect the water potential and has no effect on osmosis
6
Q
What is amylopectin in starch?
A
- made from alpha glucose
- has glycosidic bonds
- branched - increases the surface area so it can be hydrolysed more quickly
- insoluble - so has no effect on the water potential and no effect on osmosis
7
Q
What is glycogen?
A
- glucose / energy storage
- made from alpha glucose
- has glycosidic bonds
- very branched - bigger surfaace area, and faster hydrolysis
- insoluble - no effect on water potential or on osmosis
