monomers + polymers

define a monomer

• molecule that may chemically react to another molecule of the same type to form a larger molecule

define a polymer

• molecules made from many similar monomers joined by condensation reactions

outline the features of carbohydrates and their function

• all contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

• consists of sugar and starch/polysaccharides

  • energy store

  • energy source

  • structure

name the 2 types of sugars and examples of them. name some examples of polysaccharides.

• monosaccharides

  • glucose

  • fructose

• disaccharides

  • sucrose

  • maltose

• polysaccharides

  • starch

  • cellulose

  • glycogen

state the general formula of monosaccharides and their features

• (CH20)n or CnH2nOn

• soluble

• sweet tasting

state the difference between alpha and beta glucose

• in alpha glucose: the hydroxil pounts down at carbon 1, and the hydrogen points up

• in beta glucose: the hydroxil points up at carbon 1, and the hydrogen points down

state the features of a disaccharide and its general formula

• formed from 2 monosaccharides joined bg a glycosidic bond un a condensation reaction

  • water removed to join 2 monosaccharides

• general formula: C2nH4n-2O2n-1

name 3 reactions to form disaccharides

• glucose + galactose→ lactose + water

• glucose + glucose → maltose + water

• glucose + fructose → sucrose + water

define a polysaccharide and its uses

• polymers with subunits of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds formed in condensation polymerization

• used for: energy store, structural components of cells

name the monomers, functions and locations of starch, glycogen and cellulose

STARCH:

• monomer: alpha glucose

• storage molecule in plants

• found in seeds and bulbs

GLYCOGEN:

• monomer: alpha glucose

• main energy storage molecule in animals (glucose)

• found in muscles and the liver

CELLULOSE:

• monomer: beta glucose

• component of cell walls

• found in cell walls

state the structure of starch and explain how its linked to its function

• consists of 2 polysaccharides: amylose, amylopectin

• amylase: 1-4 glycosidic bonds, unbranched chains and helical structure → enables starch to fold compactly to fit into small storage organelles

• amylopectin: 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds with highly branched chains → increases surface area for enzymes, allowing rapid glucose release and energy supply

state the structure of glycogen and explain how its linked to its function

• 1-4 and 1-6 glycosidic bonds with highly branched chains → increased surface area means more enzymes can hydrolyse, allowing rapid glucose release and energy supply } more branched than starch bc. higher metabolic demands in animals than plants

• polymer of glucose → provides glucose for respiration

state the structure of cellulose and explain how its linked to its function

• unbranched polysaccharide of beta-glucose monomers joined by 1-4 glycosidic bonds where every other beta-glucose is rotated 180 degrees → allows multiple long, parallel chains to run alongside each other → forms strong microfibrils through extensive hydrogen bonding between chains } provides tensile strength for cell walls to withstand turgor pressure