Carbohydrates 2

A polysaccharide is formed when more than two monosaccharides are joined together by condensation reactions.

Amylose is made of many α-glucose molecules joined by glycosidic bonds.

Plants store glucose as starch so they can break it down into glucose when more energy is needed.

Starch is made up of amylose and amylopectin, both are polysaccharides of α-glucose.

Amylose is a long, unbranched chain of α-glucose with a coiled structure, making it compact and good for storage.

The branched structure of amylopectin allows enzymes to reach glycosidic bonds easily, leading to quicker glucose release.

Starch is insoluble in water and doesn’t affect water potential, preventing cells from swelling.

Add iodine in potassium iodide solution to the sample; if starch is present, it turns from brown-orange to dark blue-black.

Glycogen is the main energy storage material in animals, storing excess glucose for energy.

Glycogen has many side branches, allowing for quicker glucose release.

Cellulose is made of long, unbranched chains of β-glucose.

β-glucose molecules form straight chains that link through hydrogen bonds to create strong fibers called myofibrils.

Cellulose provides structural support as the main component of plant cell walls.