Topic 1- 1.2 Carbohydrates 2

Question 1

Describe the structure of a polysaccharide which makes them a good storage molecule.

Answer 1

They can form very compact molecules so large numbers can be stored in a cell.
The glycosidic bonds are easily broken allowing for rapid release of monosaccharide units to be used for respiration.
They are not very soluble in water so have little effect on water potential within a cell

Question 2

What is a hydrolysis reaction?

Answer 2

It is the opposite of a condensation reaction. It is wear water is added to a glycosidic bond which breaks the bond apart.
Polysaccharides are broken down into shorter and shorter chains until eventually single sugars are left.

Question 3

what are oligosaccharides?

Answer 3

They contain 3-10 sugar units

Question 4

What defines a true polysaccharide?

Answer 4

They have 11 or more monosaccharide units

Question 5

How does the structure of a polysaccharide make them ideal as a storage molecule?

Answer 5

• They can form very compact molecules allowing for more storage in a smaller area.
• The glycosidic bonds are broken easily allowing for rapid movement of monosaccharides for cellular respiration.
• they aren’t very soluble so have little effect on osmosis.

Question 6

What is amylose?

Answer 6

Is a complex carb that contains only glucose monomers joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds forming unbranched chains

Question 7

What is amylopectin?

Answer 7

Is a complex carb made of glucose monomers bonded with 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds so molecules branch repeatedly.

Question 8

What is glycogen?

Answer 8

Made up of alpha glucose monomers which from 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds which cause many side branches