polysaccharides Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the three polysaccharides?
Cellulose, starch and glycogen
What is the monomer making up cellulose?
Beta glucose
What is the monomer making up starch?
Alpha glucose
What is the monomer making up glycogen?
Alpha glucose
Are polysaccharides soluble or insoluble in water?
Insoluble
Are polysaccharides reducing or non-reducing?
Non-reducing
Where is starch found?
In plants
What is the function of starch?
Acts as a storage compartment
What is a property of starch?
Long, branched chains
What are the monomers of starch linked together by?
Glycosidic bonds
Where is starch stored?
Cytoplasm of plant cells
Why is starch large?
It cannot cross the cell-surface membrane and leave the cell
Why is starch being osmotically inactive useful to perform its function?
It doesn’t draw any water into the cell which leads to cell damage
What shape does starch form?
A helical structure
Why is starch branched?
So glucose can be released easily by respiration
What is the test for starch?
The iodine test
What is the positive result for starch test?
Blue/ black colour
What is the negative result for the starch test?
Orange/ yellow
Where is glycogen found?
Liver and muscle tissues
Where is glycogen stored?
Cytoplasm of animal cells
Why is glycogen osmotically inactive?
So it doesn’t draw water into the cells leading to cell damage
Does glycogen have more or less branches than starch?
More
Why is this useful for its function?
It can be hydrolysed more quickly to release glucose for respiration
Where is cellulose found?
In the cell wall of plants
