Polysaccharides Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are polysaccharides?

Polysaccharides are polymers of monosaccharides linked together by dehydration reactions; they are long chains of sugar units that may function as storage molecules or as structural compounds.

What is starch?

Starch is a storage polysaccharide in plants, consists entirely of glucose monomers, and they coil into a helical shape.

What do plant cells and animal cells need for energy?

Sugar

What provides humans and most other animals a source of glucose?

Humans and most other animals have enzymes that can hydrolyze plant starch to provide a source of glucose. Signup and view all the answers

What are the major sources of starch in the human diet?

Potatoes and grains such as wheat, corn, and rice. Signup and view all the answers

What is glycogen?

Glycogen is how animals store excess sugar in the form of another glucose polysaccharide called glycogen. Signup and view all the answers

Where is most of the human glycogen stored?

In the liver and muscle cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is cellulose?

Cellulose is a polymer of glucose. It is the most abundant compound on Earth, and it forms cable-like fibrils in the walls that enclose plant cells. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast starch and cellulose, two plant polysaccharides.

Both are polymers of glucose, but the bonds between glucose monomers have different shapes. Starch functions mainly for sugar storage, while cellulose is a structural polysaccharide that is the main material of cell walls. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Polysaccharides Overview

Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked by dehydration reactions, serving as storage or structural compounds.

Starch

Starch is the primary storage polysaccharide in plants composed exclusively of glucose monomers with a helical structure.

Energy Sources

Both plant and animal cells require sugar for energy.

Glucose Source for Animals

Animals, including humans, possess enzymes that hydrolyze plant starch, converting it to glucose.

Dietary Sources of Starch

Major sources of starch in the human diet include potatoes, wheat, corn, and rice.

Glycogen

Glycogen is a polysaccharide that stores excess sugar in animals, formed from glucose monomers.

Glycogen Storage in Humans

In humans, glycogen is predominantly stored in the liver and muscle cells.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a glucose polymer and the most abundant organic compound on Earth, forming fibrils in plant cell walls through hydrogen bonding.

Starch vs. Cellulose

Both starch and cellulose are glucose polymers but differ in molecular bonds. Starch serves primarily as a sugar storage medium, while cellulose provides structural support in cell walls.

Description

Test your knowledge on polysaccharides with these flashcards. Learn definitions and characteristics of important polysaccharides like starch and their roles in plants. Perfect for biology students and anyone interested in biochemistry.