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Activity on Polysaccharides

Name: Covero, Allen Paul Prog.,Yr.,& Sec.: BSMT 1E Date: JULY 6, 2021 Score:______

Polysaccharides fulfill a wide variety of functions in living organisms. Hence, it is best to categorized polysaccharides according to their function.
Unscramble the letters below to identify the name of the polysaccharide being described. Also classify whether the polysaccharide is a homoglycan or heteroglycan based on its
repeating units.

DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION OF COMMON POLYSACCHARIDES

Storage Polysaccharides acts as energy reserves for plants and animals. Excess sugars are stored in the form of polysaccharides.

POLYSACCHARIDE FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION REPEATING UNIT / TYPE OF GLYCOSIDIC BOND

CHARTS - energy reserve of plants which are stored in granules within cells. - composed of amylose and amylopectin.

- the most abundant dietary carbohydrate in cereals, potatoes, legumes - Amylose is made up of unbranched chains of up to 4000 D-glucose units
STARCH and other vegetables. joined by α(1-4) glycosidic bonds.

- Used as thickening agent in cooking - Amylopectin contains chains up to 10,000 D-glucose units joined by α(1-
4)glycosidic bonds; at branch points, new chains of 24 to 30 units are
Type: HOMOGLYCAN started by α(1-6) glycosidic bonds.

COLGENGY - energy reserve of animals which is deposited in the liver. - a branched polysaccharide of approximately 106 glucose units joined by
α(1-4) and α(1-6) glycosidic bonds.
GLYCOGEN - also abundant in muscle tissues where it is more immediately available
for energy release.
Type: HOMOGLYCAN

RIDNEXT - intermediate product of the hydrolysis of starch. - Mixture of linear α(1-4) linked D-glucose polymers starting with an α(1–6)
bond.
DEXTRIN - Used as adhesives, glue and binders. Also used as mucilages at the
back of postage stamps.
Type: HOMOGLYCAN

TAXNERD - Used as blood extenders to increase the volume of circulating blood. - A branched polysaccharide made of many glucose units joined by α(1-4)
linkages with branches bonded with
DEXTRAN - Found in dental plaque α(1-6) linkages.

Type: HOMOGLYCAN

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UNLINI - Energy reserve of plants containing tubers and bulbs like onions and - Mainly compose of fructose units which are joined by
garlic. ß(2-1) glycosidic bonds
INULIN
- Suitable for diabetics and helpful in managing blood sugar illness.
Type: HOMOGLYCAN

Structural Polysaccharides plays a role in providing shape, structure and outer covering of organisms.

POLYSACCHARIDE FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION REPEATING UNIT / TYPE OF GLYCOSIDIC BOND

CLOSELELU - Found in the cell wall of plant cells thus, giving plant cells a rigid shape - The disaccharide repeating unit is cellobiose which is made up
which enables them to sustain tremendous weight. of ß-D-glucose units which are held together in a straight chain
CELLULOSE by ß(1-4) glycosidic bonds.

Type: HOMOGLYCAN

ITCHIN - Found in the exoskeleton of arthropods (crustaceans and insects) - A linear molecule of N-acetyl glucosamine bonded by ß(1-4)
where the chitinous structure is hardened by calcium carbonate linkages.
deposits.
CHITIN

Type: HOMOGLYCAN

ACIDICALGIN - Structural polysaccharide of brown algae and seaweeds like kelp - A linear molecule of D-mannuronic acid joined by ß(1-4)
linkages. Some alginic acids contain L-guluronic acids in
ALGINIC ACID - Used as thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer due to its ability to hold addition to D-mannuronic acids.
water and large molecules.
Type: HETEROGLYCAN

NCAANREREAG - Structural polysaccharide of red seaweeds - A linear polysaccharide consisting of: ß-D-galactose-4-sulfate
and 3,6-α-D-anhydrogalactose. The sugar residues are linked
CARRAGEENAN - Can hold solids in suspension thus, it is used in food processing to with alternating α(1-3) and ß(1-4) linkages
make ice cream, cocoa milk, butter, yogurt etc. It is also used in the
Type: HETEROGLYCAN manufacturing of cosmetics, toothpastes and many others.

GARA
AGAR - The structural polysaccharide which occurs in red algae. - Contains two fractions: agarose and agaropectin.

Type: HETEROGLYCAN - Used as a culture medium to study microorganisms. - Agarose contains equal portions of D-galactose and 3,6-

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anhydro-L-galactose. Agaropectin also contains D-galactose
- It has lower sulfate content hence it has greater tendency for gelling. and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose plus traces of ester sulfate and
D-guluronic acid. The sugars are bonded with alternating α(1-
3) and ß(1-4) linkages.

PIPEDCLANTYOG - Found in the cell wall of bacteria and other prokaryotes. - made up of N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid
bonded by ß(1-4) linkages.
PEPTIDOGLYCAN

Type: HETEROGLYCAN

Acidic Polysaccharides contains carboxyl groups or sulfate esters that plays an important role in connective tissues. They are also referred to as Glycosaminoglycans. They are commonly
bonded with a protein like collagen.

POLYSACCHARIDE FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION REPEATING UNIT / TYPE OF GLYCOSIDIC BOND

ACIDICHALURONY - Found in the synovial fluid in joints which acts as lubricant and shock - Made up of N-acetyl glucosamine and glucuronic acid which are
absorber in joints. bonded by ß(1-3) linkages.
HYALURONIC ACID
- Also found in the vitreous of eyes which keeps the retina in place.
Type: HETEROGLYCAN

HENPAIR - Serves as anticoagulant (prevents blood clotting) by forming a - Made up of N-acetyl glucosamine or N-acetyl galactosamnine
HEPARIN complex with thrombin, the protein responsible for blood clotting. bonded by α(1-3) or α(1-4) linkages.

Type: HETEROGLYCAN

ACDEFIILNNOORSTTUH - Helps in maintaining structural integrity of tissues - Unbranched polysaccharides containing two alternating
monosaccharides: D-glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-
CHONDROITIN SULFATE - Widely used as dietary supplement for the treatment of osteoarthritis galactosamine which are bonded by ß(1-3) linkages.

Type: HETEROGLYCAN

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