carbohydrates functions Flashcards
(32 cards)
is glucose highly soluble
yes- can be transported into plasma
is glucose a small or large molecule
small- can be absorbed across cell membranes fairly easily
how reactive is glucose
quite reactive- energy can be released during respiration
is sucrose soluble
yes- can be transported across the phloem
is sucrose more or less reactive than glucose
less- less likely to react during transport
what is starch
polysaccharide- made from many alpha glucose residuals
are starch molecules chains branched
may be branched
are are starch chains coiled
into a helix
functions of starch
long- used to store glucose so can be used for respiration
insoluble- doesn’t affect osmosis
helical- compact for storage
branched- many ends for glucose residuals to be removed
high density-settles on bottom of plant cells o plant can find center of gravity
what is glycogen
the animal version of starch
is glycogen a poly or monosaccharide
polysaccharide
what is glycogen used for
to store glucose in animal cells
whats the difference between starch and glycogen
glycogen is more branched
what is cellulose
a polysaccharide of beta glucose
what type of chain is cellulose
straight, unbranched
what do cellulose molecules look like
straight, parallel
what makes cellulose strong
they are joined by hydrogen bonds
what are microfibres
bundle of cellulose molecules running parallel to each other
each layer is in a different direction
why is cellulose a stable structure in cell walls
because its not easily hydrolysed
what is chitin
polymer of glucosamine
provides strength
where is chitin found
extra cellular cuticles
eg- fingernails
what is the ratio of molecules in carbohydrates
1:2:1 or
Cn H2n Cn
how many isomers does glucose have
2
alpha glucose
beta glucose
what is a monomer which is a sugar
monosaccharide
