polysaccharides
Long sugar chains
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made of long chains of sugar molecules bonded together.
Starch, cellulose, and glycogen are common examples.
Plants store energy as starch; animals store it as glycogen.
Cellulose provides structural rigidity in plant cell walls.
The singular polysaccharide refers to any one such compound: Chitin is a polysaccharide found in insect exoskeletons.
Linear glucose chain
- granuleTiny solid fragment
- reserveSupply kept back
- liverAbdominal detoxifying organ
- muscleContractile body tissue
tuber · grain · energy reserve · inulin
Plant wall polysaccharide
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
- cell wallRigid cellular outer layer
- fiberPlant-based digestive aid
beta-glucan · rigidity · exoskeleton · alginate · agar
Plant-based digestive aid
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- gumSticky plant secretion
- guarLegume producing industrial thickener
- xanthanPolysaccharide food additive
prebiotic · dietary fiber · tapioca · arrowroot · agar
Primary cellular fuel
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
- insulinPancreatic glucose-regulating hormone
glucagon · digestion · absorption · fermentation · respiration · enzyme · breakdown · biosynthesis
Large repeated-unit molecule
- macromoleculeVery large molecule
- branchedDivided into offshoots
- linearArranged in straight succession
- molecular weightTotal mass of atoms
hydrolysis · monomer · chain · linkage · alpha · beta · configuration
amylose
Linear glucose chain
muscle · tuber · grain · energy reserve · inulin
cellulose
Plant wall polysaccharide
fiber · beta-glucan · rigidity · exoskeleton · alginate · agar
fiber
Plant-based digestive aid
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
- gumSticky plant secretion
- guarLegume producing industrial thickener
xanthan · prebiotic · dietary fiber · tapioca · arrowroot · agar
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
- glycolysisGlucose metabolism producing ATP
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
insulin · glucagon · digestion · absorption · fermentation · respiration · enzyme · breakdown · biosynthesis
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
- macromoleculeVery large molecule
- branchedDivided into offshoots
- linearArranged in straight succession
molecular weight · hydrolysis · monomer · chain · linkage · alpha · beta · configuration
antigen
Immune response inducer
pathogen · immune response · antibody · glycoprotein · recognition
polysaccharidesmonosaccharides
Single-molecule sugar units
simple sugars · glucose · fructose · galactose · disaccharides