What are polysaccharides?

• Polysaccharides:

  Polymers made of long chains of sugar units
• Starch is a mixture of two polysaccharides of glucose:

  1.Amylose -

  Monomer: alpha glucose

  Bonds: 1,4 glycosidic bonds

  Chains: Straight chain

  Shape: Coiled structure

  Property: Compact, so good for storage, can fit more in a small space.

  2.Amylopectin -

  Monomers: alpha glucose

  Bonds: 1,4 and 1,6 glycosidic bonds

  Chains: branched chains

  Shape: Coiled with branches

  Property: rapid hydrolysis for energy, glucose can be released quickly.
• Glycogen:

  Monomers: a-glucose

  Bonds: 1,4 and 1,6

  Chains: branched

  Rapid release of energy

  Compact molecule - good for storage

  Lots of energy stored