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Questions and Answers
What type of glucose monomer is found in cellulose?
Which structural characteristic of starch contributes to its function as an energy storage molecule in plants?
What type of glycosidic bond is primarily found in the structure of glycogen?
Which of the following best describes the nature of cellulose chains?
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What role does the structure of amylose in starch play in its function?
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What is a key structural difference between glycogen and amylopectin?
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What happens when iodine is added to glycogen?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes cellulose?
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Why is glycogen broken down more quickly than starch?
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Which property of cellulose contributes to its ability to provide structural support in plants?
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Study Notes
Polysaccharide Structure and Function
- Starch, glycogen, and cellulose are all polysaccharides, meaning they are large polymers made up of many sugar monomers linked together.
- These polysaccharides differ in their structure, which directly affects their function in living organisms.
Starch
- Starch is a major energy storage molecule in plants.
- Amylose is a linear, helical structure of α-glucose monomers linked by 1,4 glycosidic bonds.
- Amylopectin is a branched structure of α-glucose monomers linked by both 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds.
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Starch's structure allows for efficient storage and release of energy in plants because:
- Coiled structure of amylose makes it compact.
- Branched structure of amylopectin allows for rapid breakdown of glucose units.
- Both are insoluble in water, preventing osmotic pressure changes in cells.
Glycogen
- Glycogen is the primary energy storage molecule in animals and fungi.
- It's similar to amylopectin but more highly branched and with shorter chains.
- This structure allows for faster glucose release when needed for energy.
- Glycogen's compact granules allow for efficient storage in animal cells.
Cellulose
- Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls.
- It's made of β-glucose monomers linked by 1,4 glycosidic bonds, forming straight, unbranched chains.
- β-glucose structure allows for hydrogen bonding between adjacent chains, resulting in strong fibers.
- Cellulose's rigid structure provides tensile strength and structural support to plant cells.
- This strengthens the cell wall, preventing cell rupture due to osmotic pressure.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of polysaccharides, focusing on starch, glycogen, and cellulose. This quiz will test your understanding of their structures, functions, and importance in living organisms. Discover how these complex carbohydrates play critical roles in energy storage and biological processes.
