POLYSACCHRIDES

• Polysacchrides contain many Monosacchride Units
• Some Polysacchrides are Starch (20% Amylose & Amylopectin; Stores Glucose in Plants), Glycogen (Energy Storage in Animals / Humans), and Cellulose (Plant / Wood Structures)
• Amylose is a Polysacchride of an a-Glucose continuous chain (Helical / Coil Form)
• Amylose has 𝝰-1, 4-glycosidic bonds between the 𝝰-glucose units (250 to 4000 units)
• Amylopectin is a polysacchride of glucose in Branched Chains
• Amylopectin has 𝝰-1,6 bonds to branches of glucose units (at about every 25 glucose units, there is a branch)
• BOTH AMYLOSE & AMYLOPECTIN are Soluble in Water
• GLYCOGEN is similar to Amylopectin but is More Branched (Branches every 10-15 Units)
• GLYCOGEN is the Energy Storage Molecule found in Animals / Humans
• GLYCOGEN is mainly stored in the Liver & Muscle Cells
• The ends of a GLYCOGEN Polymer help with the hydrolyzation of Glucose for Energy
• GLYCOGEN Ends are available for Hydrolysis
• CELLULOSE is a polysacchride of Glucose with Unbranched Chains (𝞫-1,4-glycosidic bonds with 2200 glucose units)
• CELLULOSE has a rigid structure (H-BONDS) and is INSOLUBLE in Water
• CELLULOSE is the main structural material of Wood & Plants (Cotton: 100%)
• CELLULOSE CANNOT BE DIGESTED due to its Glycosidic Bonds (We need the Enzyme b-Glycosidase)
• CELLULOSE makes Insoluble Fiber in our Diets
• CELLULOSE passes through the Digestive System WITHOUT being Metabolized
• Fiber is important in adding Bulk to Waste (Better Elimination but No Nutrition)
• DIGESTION PROCESS: Amylose / Amylopectin (Starch) -> Dextrins (6-8 Glucos Units) -> Maltose (2 Glucose Units / H+ or a-Amylase Enzyme in the Pancreas) -> Many a-D-Glucose Unites (H+ or a-Maltase Enzyme)