Question

Which statement best summarizes a key difference in the structure of polysaccharides that function in energy storage versus those used in structural support?

a. Polysaccharides that function in energy storage form straight chains that bond with adjacent chains, whereas polysaccharides used in structural support are built from α glycosidic linkages.
b. Polysaccharides that function in energy storage are built from α glycosidic linkages, whereas polysaccharides used in structural support form straight chains that bond with adjacent chains.
c. Polysaccharides that function in energy storage are built from β glycosidic linkages, whereas polysaccharides used in structural support form straight chains that bond with adjacent chains.
d. Polysaccharides that function in energy storage are built from α glycosidic linkages, whereas polysaccharides used in structural support form helical chains that are highly branched.

Answer 1

C-Polysaccharides that function in energy storage are built from α glycosidic linkages, whereas polysaccharides used in structural support form straight chains that bond with adjacent chains.

Step-by-step explanation:

When monosaccharides undergo a dehydration reaction water molecules are released; this process called covalent bonding forms an 1-4 glycosidic linkage. In energy storage polysaccharides, the linkage occurs at Carbon 1 while glucose is in its α- form; in starch, resulting chains are made up of unbranched amylose and branched amylopectin.

However, in structural polysaccharides like cellulose, repeating monomers in the β configuration; the alternating glucose monomers form unbranched β, 1-4 glycosidic linkages. These tend to bunch together, with adjacent chains joined by hydrogen bonds, making the polysaccharide rigid and with high tensile strength.