Questions and Answers
What is the empirical formula for carbohydrates represented as?
Glycogen is primarily a water-soluble polysaccharide found in plants.
False
What type of reaction occurs when two monosaccharides join to form a disaccharide?
Condensation or Dehydration Synthesis
The major polysaccharides in plants are starch, which includes _______ and _______.
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Match the following polysaccharides with their characteristics:
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Which enzyme is responsible for the production of straight chains in glycogen synthesis?
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Cellulose and chitin are both water-soluble polysaccharides.
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Which hormones activate glycogen phosphorylase in glycogen degradation?
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Study Notes
Organic Compounds
- Organic compounds primarily consist of carbon chains, with hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) generally attached.
- Each carbon atom has a valence of 4, allowing it to form four bonds with other atoms.
Carbohydrates
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General empirical formula for carbohydrates is Cx(H2O)y.
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Monosaccharides are the simplest form of carbohydrates, commonly known as simple sugars; hexoses (6 carbon atoms) are the most prevalent.
- Fusion Process: Monosaccharides undergo condensation (dehydration synthesis) when two monosaccharides join, forming a disaccharide by eliminating -OH from one molecule and -H from another, resulting in a C-O-C bond.
- This process can be repeated to form trisaccharides or polysaccharides.
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Hydrolysis reverses condensation by adding water.
Glycogen and Polysaccharides
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Glycogen is a major polysaccharide, acting as a principal energy reserve, alongside starch and cellulose.
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Glycogen features a highly branched chain of glucose molecules with specific linkages.
- Glycogen synthase promotes the formation of straight chains, while amylo-transglycosylase catalyzes the creation of branch points.
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Glycogen Degradation: Involves enzymes like glycogen phosphorylase (activated by the hormones epinephrine and glucagon) and x-glycosidase.
Starch and Cellulose
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Starch in plants consists of two components: amylose (linear chains) and amylopectin (branched).
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Cellulose and chitin are water-insoluble polysaccharides that form strong, resistant chains that constitute cell walls.
- The parallel structure of cellulose chains contributes to their resistance against hydrolysis.
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Description
Explore the basics of organic compounds and carbohydrates in this quiz. Learn about the structure of carbon atoms and the different types of sugars that comprise carbohydrates. Test your understanding of key concepts like the empirical formula and fusion processes.