STARCH

 Made from alpha glucose linked by glycosidic bonds formed by condensation –

branched (amylopectin) – only found in plants
 Features of starch for energy storage:
 Insoluble – doesn’t affect water potential so water is not drawn into cells by osmosis
 Large and insoluble – doesn’t diffuse out of cells
 Compact molecule – a lot can be stored in a small space
 Forms alpha glucose when hydrolysed – can be easily transported and readily used in respiration

GLYCOG
 Branched – many ends for enzymes to act on simultaneously – glucose monomers released rapidly

EN
 Made from alpha glucose, similar structure to starch, shorter chains and more
highly branched – only found in animals and bacteria – stored as small granules
– mass is relatively small because fat is main storage molecule in animals

 Features of glycogen for energy storage (the same as starch except for):
 It is more highly branched than starch – more rapidly broken down into glucose monomers for respiration –
This is very important as animals have a higher metabolic rate and therefore respiratory rate because

CELLULO
they are more active

SE
 Made from beta glucose, which causes straight unbranched chains that run parallel – allowing
hydrogen bonds to form cross-linkages between chains – overall number of total hydrogen
bonds makes considerable strength to molecule – cellulose molecules grouped to form
microfibrils which are arranged in parallel groups (fibres)

 Provides rigidity to the cell wall, prevents cell wall from bursting from osmosis – by exerting
inwards pressure to stop influx of water (plant walls are TURGID) – important to keep
stems and leaves turgid to give maximum surface area for photosynthesis

 How is cellulose suited to it’s function (providing rigidity): Starch and glycogen have weak bonds so
 Made of beta-glucose so forms straight unbranched chains they can be easily broken down quickly to
 Chains run parallel to each other and are cross-linked by hydrogen bonds to add collective strength release energy/ATP