Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides

Starch
Made of coiled chains of alpha glucose.
Linked by Glycosidic bonds, formed during condensation reactions.
Unbranched chain wound into a tight coil.
Main role is energy storage, adapted:
-Insoluble, so doesn't draw water in by osmosis & doesn't diffuse out of cells easily
-Compact, lots can be stored in small area
-When hydrolysed, it forms alpha glucose, which is easily transported and readily used in respiration
It consists of two polysaccharides of alpha glucose: Amylose & Amylopectin.
Amylose- long, unbranched chain of alpa glucose. Coiled structure. Makes it more compact.
Amylopectin- long, branched chain of alpha glucose. Side branches allow enzymes that break down the molecule to get at the glycosidic bonds easily, so glucose can be released quickly.
Starch…