Polymers

• What is the structure and properties of amylose?

  Amylose is a linear polymer of glucose molecules linked by alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds. It is a component of starch and has a helical structure. It is insoluble in water.
• What is the structure and properties of amylopectin?

  Amylopectin is a branched polysaccharide composed of alpha glucose units. It has a highly branched structure with both α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic linkages. It is insoluble in water. Amylopectin is a major component of starch and serves as a storage form of glucose in plants. Can release terminal glucose groups rapidly through hydrolysis.
• What is the structure and properties of glycogen?

  Glycogen is a branched polymer of glucose molecules. It is the main storage form of glucose in animals and is stored in the liver and muscles. It is highly branched, allowing for rapid release of glucose when needed.
• What is the structure and properties of cellulose?

  Polymer, beta glucose, strong (high tensile strength), insoluble, fibrous, difficult to hydrolyse, each beta glucose monomer flipped 180 degrees (respectively), unbranched
• What is the structure and properties of chitin?

  Structure: Chitin is a polysaccharide composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, linked by beta 1,4 glycosidic bonds. Hydrogen bonding also occurs due to adjacent parallel chains

  
  

  Properties: Chitin is a tough and flexible material, insoluble in water, and resistant to degradation by enzymes. It provides structural support in the exoskeletons of arthropods and cell walls of fungi.