Biological Molecules: Carbohydrates Flashcards
(10 cards)
Give examples of simple sugars
Monosaccharides or two monosaccharides linked together to make disaccharides
Give examples of complex sugars
Complex sugars are polysaccharides made up of monosaccharides such as starch, cellulose, and glycogen. Complex sugars are insoluble in water, have high molecular weight, and do not have a sweet taste.
What bond is present in starch
Glycosidic bond
Where is starch produced
This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants as an energy store.
What molecules make up starch
Pure starch is a white, tasteless and odorless powder that is insoluble in cold water or alcohol. It consists of two types of molecules: the linear and helical amylose and the branched amylopectin
What is the glucose store of animals
Glycogen, the glucose store of animals, is a more branched version of amylopectin.
Where is cellulose used
Cellulose is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plant, some species of bacteria secrete it to form biofilms. Cellulose can also be digested by termites as a bulking agent for faeces (dietary fibre).
What is glycogen
Glycogen is a multi-branched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi. The polysaccharide structure represents the main storage form of glucose in the body.
Where is glycogen stored and used in the human body
In humans, glycogen is made and stored primarily in the cells of the liver and the muscles, hydrated with three or four parts of water. Glycogen functions as the secondary long-term energy store (the primary energy store is fats held in adipose tissue). Muscle glycogen is converted into glucose by muscle cells, and liver glycogen converts to glucose for use throughout the body, including the central nervous system.
Where else is glycogen found
Small amounts of glycogen are found in the kidneys, and even smaller amounts are found in certain glial cells in the brain and white blood cells. The uterus also stores glycogen during pregnancy to nourish the embryo.
