starch

Subdecks (1)

what do cells get energy from?
glucose
What is starch used for the storage of?
plants store excess glucose as starch
what does a plant do when it needs more glucose for energy? 
it breaks down starch to release the glucose
what is starch a mixture of?
two polysacchrides
what 2 polysaccharides is starch a mixture of?
amylose and amylopectin
what is amylose? 
a long, unbranched chain of alpha glucose
what gives amylose a coiled structure?
the angles of the glycosidic bonds
What effect do the angles of the glycosidic bonds have on amylose?
the angles give it a coiled structure
this makes it compact, so it is really good for storage because you can fit more into a small space
why is amylose good for storage?
it is compact, you can fit more in to a small space
what is amylopectin?
a long, branched chain of alpha glucose
what is the effect of the amylopectin's side branches? 
its side branches allow the enzymes that break down the molecule to get at the glycosidic bonds easily. This means that glucose can be released quicky
is starch soluble or insoluble in water?
insoluble
give some properties of starch?
insoluble in water and doesn't affect water potential
give one reason why starch is good for storage?
It is insoluble in water and doesn't affect water potential so it doesn't cause water to enter cells by osmosis, which would make them swell. this makes it good for storage
what is starch?
the main energy storage material in plants