Textbook Question
Describe the similarities and differences in the following:
a. amylose and cellulose
Ch.13 Carbohydrates
Timberlake14thChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives19
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy53
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements58
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions38
- Ch.8 Gases30
- Ch.9 Solutions50
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium64
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons77
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones82
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides91
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis86
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production73
Timberlake14thChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 13, Problem 49a
Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
a. not digestible by humans
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the term 'polysaccharide'. Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. They serve various functions such as energy storage (e.g., starch, glycogen) and structural support (e.g., cellulose, chitin).
Step 2: Recognize that the problem asks for a polysaccharide that is 'not digestible by humans'. This means the polysaccharide cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes into its monosaccharide components.
Step 3: Recall that humans lack the enzyme cellulase, which is required to break the β(1→4) glycosidic bonds found in cellulose. Therefore, cellulose is a polysaccharide that is not digestible by humans.
Step 4: Consider other examples of indigestible polysaccharides. Chitin, another structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and fungal cell walls, is also not digestible by humans due to its β(1→4) glycosidic bonds and the presence of N-acetylglucosamine units.
Step 5: Conclude that cellulose and chitin are examples of polysaccharides that match the description of being 'not digestible by humans'.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. They serve various functions in living organisms, including energy storage and structural support. Common examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose, each differing in their structure and digestibility.
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1:24
Polysaccharides Example 1
Digestibility
Digestibility refers to the extent to which a substance can be broken down and absorbed by the digestive system. In the context of polysaccharides, some, like starch, are digestible by humans, while others, such as cellulose, are not due to the lack of necessary enzymes to break them down.
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2:01Digestion of Proteins Concept 1
Cellulose
Cellulose is a polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls. It is composed of glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, making it indigestible for humans. While it provides dietary fiber, aiding in digestion, it cannot be broken down into glucose for energy.
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Identify the disaccharide that fits each of the following descriptions:
a. ordinary table sugar
Textbook Question
Describe the similarities and differences in the following:
a. amylose and amylopectin
Textbook Question
Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
c. contains only α(1→4)-glycosidic bonds
Textbook Question
Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
b. the storage form of carbohydrates in plants
Textbook Question
Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
b. contains only ß(1→4)-glycosidic bonds