Polysaccharides: Starch and Glycogen

What are polysaccharides?

Complex carbohydrates that are large molecules or polymers made of chains of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds.

What are the two types of functions that polysaccharides can have?

Metabolic functions and structural functions in cells and organisms.

What are polysaccharides?

Complex carbohydrates that are large molecules or polymers made of chains of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds.

What are the two types of functions that polysaccharides can have?

Metabolic functions and structural functions in cells and organisms.

Name two examples of storage polysaccharides and their roles.

Starch and glycogen; they store and release glucose for metabolism.

What type of glucose do starch and glycogen consist of?

They are made of chains of α-glucose.

What are the two components of starch?

Amylose, which forms coiled molecules, and amylopectin, which is a branched molecule.

What types of glycosidic bonds are found in amylopectin?

α-1,4 glycosidic bonds within branches and α-1,6 glycosidic bonds at branching points.

Why is starch considered a compact molecule?

Because it coils up to form a helix, making it less soluble in water and ideal for glucose storage.

What does it mean when starch is described as osmotically stable?

It does not affect the water potential of the cell in which it is stored.

How does glycogen differ from amylopectin?

Glycogen is more highly branched and can form granules in cells, acting as a carbohydrate/energy store.

Why do the branches in amylopectin and glycogen facilitate glucose release?

They create more 'ends' where glycosidic bonds can be hydrolysed for glucose release used in respiration.