BLG 144 Lecture Notes - Glycogen Phosphorylase, Glycosidic Bond, Amylopectin
Document Summary
Polymers are also called macromolecules (e. g. starch, proteins, triglyceride) Organic molecules in which c, h and o bind together in the ratio cx(h2o)y. Serve as an energy source important for the brain and cellular respiration. Plants produce carbohydrates by using energy from sunlight: 6co2 + 6h2o + energy (from sunlight) c6h12o6(carbohydrate) + 6o2. Animals eat plant materials to obtain the produced carbohydrates. They can then be used in animal metabolism to release energy: c6h12o6 + 6o2 6co2 + 6h2o + energy. Consists of amylopectin and amylose (both are made of -glucose: amylopectin is branched via 1,6-glycosidic bonds, amylose forms a stiff helical structure via 1,4-glycosidic bonds, both are compact molecules starch can be stored in small space. The ends are easily broken down to glucose for respiration. Does not affect water potential as it is insoluble. Readily hydrolysed by the enzyme amylase found in the gut and saliva.
