Polysaccharides- Structure Related
to Function
First review @September 11, 2023
Practise Q's Done
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from beta glucose molecules bonded together by glycosidic bonds
these beta molecules alternate because the carbon 1 and 4 are too far apart to form a
bond between them
when the beta glucose molecules bond together they form microfibrils. these microfibrils
join together to form microfibrils, which then join together to form cellulose fibres
these cellulose fibres are insoluble and strong, which make them suitable to use as
plant cell walls
Glycogen
Glycogen is made from alpha molecules bonded together by both 1-4 glycosidic bonds
and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
this means that glycogen has branches, and because it has so many branches, it is
compact and easy to store. this is useful so that our bodies can store more glycogen
in our cells using less space.
this also makes it easy for glycogen to be broken down by enzymes because of the
increased sites for reactions to occur. this is useful when glucose needs to be released
into the bloodstream
Starch
Starch is made of two polysaccharides:
amylose- formed by alpha glucose molecules bonded together by 1-4 glycosidic
bonds. this makes the amylose compact and less soluble that glucose
amylopectin- formed by alpha glucose molecules bonded by both 1-4 and 1-6
glycosidic bonds. this means that amylopectin branches out
Polysaccharides- Structure Related to Function 1
to Function
First review @September 11, 2023
Practise Q's Done
Cellulose
Cellulose is made from beta glucose molecules bonded together by glycosidic bonds
these beta molecules alternate because the carbon 1 and 4 are too far apart to form a
bond between them
when the beta glucose molecules bond together they form microfibrils. these microfibrils
join together to form microfibrils, which then join together to form cellulose fibres
these cellulose fibres are insoluble and strong, which make them suitable to use as
plant cell walls
Glycogen
Glycogen is made from alpha molecules bonded together by both 1-4 glycosidic bonds
and 1-6 glycosidic bonds
this means that glycogen has branches, and because it has so many branches, it is
compact and easy to store. this is useful so that our bodies can store more glycogen
in our cells using less space.
this also makes it easy for glycogen to be broken down by enzymes because of the
increased sites for reactions to occur. this is useful when glucose needs to be released
into the bloodstream
Starch
Starch is made of two polysaccharides:
amylose- formed by alpha glucose molecules bonded together by 1-4 glycosidic
bonds. this makes the amylose compact and less soluble that glucose
amylopectin- formed by alpha glucose molecules bonded by both 1-4 and 1-6
glycosidic bonds. this means that amylopectin branches out
Polysaccharides- Structure Related to Function 1