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| Polysaccharides |
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| Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed from monosaccharides. A number of monosaccharide molecules such as those of glucose, become linked by glycosidic bonds with the elimination of a molecule of water for each monosaccharide added. When a polysaccharide has multiple molecules of the same type, it is described as homopolysaccharide. For example, starch and glycogen are composed of only glucose. When a polysaccharide molecule is formed by more than one type of monosaccharide molecules, it is described as a heteropolysaccharide. For example, chitin and agar. |
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| fig. 14.1 - Structural Appearance of Polysaccharides |
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| fig. 14.2 - Starch Grains from Different Sources |
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| Based on their functional significance, polysaccharides can be distinguished under two categories namely storage polysaccharides (e.g., starch and glycogen) and Structural polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, lignin and chitin). |
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| The following table lists the biologically important polysaccharides and their functions. |
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| fig.14.3 - Biologically Significant Polysaccharides |
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