Polysaccharides and Lipids

Flashcards covering key concepts of polysaccharides and lipids, focusing on definitions and properties of each term.

Pectins

Polysaccharides composed of galactose and galacturonic acid residues, important for cell wall structure.

Hemicelluloses

A mixture of polysaccharides primarily made of pentose sugars and sugar acid residues, contributing to plant cell walls.

Inulin

A polymer of fructose that serves as a reserve carbohydrate in certain plants.

Chitin

A polymer related to cellulose, found in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons, made from glucosamine.

Mucopolysaccharides

Polysaccharides consisting of organic acids and amino acids, found in connective tissues and as lubricants in joints.

Triacylglycerol

A type of lipid formed from glycerol and three fatty acids through a condensation reaction.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids with no double bonds between carbon atoms, such as palmitic acid.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, such as oleic acid.

Phospholipid

A type of lipid consisting of two fatty acids and a phosphate group attached to glycerol, forming a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail.

Phospholipid bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that forms the structural basis of cell membranes, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward.

Fluidity of the lipid bilayer

The ability of phospholipids to move within the bilayer, creating a flexible and dynamic membrane structure.