University:
York University
Course:
BIOL 2020 | Biochemistry
Academic year:

2023
Views:

138

Pages:

1
Author:

Nick T.

Polysaccharides Polymers of monosaccharide units by glycosidic bonds - Cellulose - Starch - Glycogen All polymers of glucose units connected by different patterns of glycosidic bonds Cellulose - a fibrous polysaccharide that provides structure in plants - Several thousand D-glucose units joined together in a long straight chain by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds - Cellulose fibers are very strong, not water soluble - Indigestible by humans - Used as a bulk cellulose Starch - polymer of glucose - units joined by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds - Major human food source - Amylose (linear) (about 20%) of plant starch - Amylopectin (branched) (about 80%) of plant starch Glycogen (animal starch) - Similar to amylopectin - Polymer of α-D-glucose with same type of branch points - Glycogen has many more branches, is large - Store excess glucose - Multiple branches to easily add or remove