Polysaccharides

• what are polysaccharides

  polymers
• what are polysaccharides made up of

  • 3 monosaccharides linked together
  • typically made up of thousands of monomers
• describe the properties of starch + glycogen

  • large size -> insoluble -> doesn't affect osmosis
  • compact -> can be stored in a small space in cell
  • easily hydrolysed to release glucose for respiration
• what are the 2 main things polysaccharides are used for

  • energy store (to release energy)
  • structural functions
• what is the main source of energy in cells

  glucose
• what is the problem w glucose

  • soluble in water
  • so would affect osmosis
• how do we overcome the glucose problem

  • converting glucose into a storage polysaccharides
  • like starch + glycogen
• give 4 examples of polysaccharides

  • starch
  • glycogen
  • cellulose
  • chitin
• what is starch and glycogen used for

  • storage
  • starch in plants
  • glycogen in animals
  • a-glucose
• what is cellulose + chitin used for

  • structure
  • b-glucose