polysaccharides

• name the type of monomer that makes up polysaccharides


  monosaccharides
• what is the main energy store in:

  • plants- starch
  • animals- glycogen
• is starch insoluble or soluble in water

  insoluble
• why is starch good for storage


  starch is insoluble if water meaning it does not effect the water potential, so it doesnt cause water to enter cells by osmosis, which would make them swell. this makes it good for storage
• which polysaccharide is the major component of plant cell walls


  cellulose
• describe the structure of cellulose and explain how its structure makes it suited to its function in cell walls


  the cellulose chains are linked together by hydrogen bonds to form strong fibres called microfibrils. the strong fibres mean cellulose provides structural support for cells
• describe the method you would use to test for the presence of starch

  1. add iodine dissolved in potassium iodide solution
  2. if there is starch resent it will go from browny-orange to a blue-black