Large Chain Carbohydrates Flashcards
(12 cards)
What are polysaccharides?
They are large, insoluble carbohydrate molecules!
How are polysaccharides formed?
Polysaccharides are formed in a condensation/ polymerisation reaction between many monosaccharides!
Talking about starch, what is starch?
Starch is a storage molecule that is an important source of glucose for respiration!
Where is starch mainly found?
It’s mostly found in the storage organs of plants.
What is starch made of?
Monomers of alpha glucose
What glycosidic bonds is starch joined by?
(1,4) and (1,6)
What are the 2 molecules that make up Starch?
Amylose
Amylopectin
Why does Starch have large molecules?
So that it cannot cross the cell membrane.
What is Starch insoluble?
So that it doesn’t affect the water potential of cells!
Why does amylopectin have many branches and ends?
So that it can be acted on simultaneously by enzymes, to hydrolyse (break down) starch into glucose.
Why is amylose tightly coiled into helix?
It has a helical shape. So it means that it’s very compact and can fit into very small spaces for storage.
What is glycogen?
A storage molecule that is very important source of glucose for respiration!
