Team:Exeter/Polysaccharides
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Polysaccharides are chains of monosaccharides (or sugars) linked by glycosidic bonds, ranging in length | Polysaccharides are chains of monosaccharides (or sugars) linked by glycosidic bonds, ranging in length | ||
from just two joined sugars (a disaccharide) to many thousands. Variations in structure can also lead | from just two joined sugars (a disaccharide) to many thousands. Variations in structure can also lead | ||
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Storage polysaccharides are used for, well, energy storage! Starches are a type of storage polysaccharide we are familiar with (in | Storage polysaccharides are used for, well, energy storage! Starches are a type of storage polysaccharide we are familiar with (in | ||
potatoes, rice...), and store energy until they are broken down by our digestive systems. Polysaccharides are ideal energy storage | potatoes, rice...), and store energy until they are broken down by our digestive systems. Polysaccharides are ideal energy storage | ||
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transportation and can be broken down very easily to release the stored energy. Being insoluble in water maintains a cell's | transportation and can be broken down very easily to release the stored energy. Being insoluble in water maintains a cell's | ||
equilibrium as no chemical or osmotic reaction is required by the cell. | equilibrium as no chemical or osmotic reaction is required by the cell. | ||
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Glycogen is another, and is found in almost all animal cells, principally the liver and muscles. When the body has recieved no food, | Glycogen is another, and is found in almost all animal cells, principally the liver and muscles. When the body has recieved no food, | ||
the energy stored in Glycogen is released in the form of glucose. | the energy stored in Glycogen is released in the form of glucose. | ||
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Revision as of 12:48, 1 August 2012
Polysaccharides
Storage polysaccharides
Structural polysaccharides Structural polysaccharides are polysaccharides found to form the structure of organisms. For example, cellulose forms the basis of cell walls in plants and chitin forms the structural component of exoskeletons. These polysaccharides have huge uses and applications in industry, Cellulose for example forming the basis of wood-and by proxy paper and cotton are nearly pure samples. |