Give 2 storage and 2 structures of carbohydrates in living things
Two storage carbohydrates found in living things are glycogen and starch.
1. Glycogen: It is the main storage form of carbohydrates in animals, including humans. It is formed by the liver and muscles to store excess glucose for future energy needs. Glycogen is highly branched, allowing for quick access and release of glucose when energy is required.
2. Starch: It is the primary storage carbohydrate in plants. Starch is formed by plants during photosynthesis and stored in different organs, such as seeds, tubers, and roots. It is composed of two types of glucose polymers: amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched). Starch serves as an energy reserve for plants and is broken down into glucose when needed.
Two structural carbohydrates found in living things are cellulose and chitin.
3. Cellulose: It is a structural carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants and some algae. Cellulose consists of linear chains of glucose molecules linked together by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds. These chains align to form microfibrils, providing strength and rigidity to plant cell walls. Cellulose is indigestible by most animals due to their inability to break the beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
4. Chitin: It is a structural carbohydrate found in the exoskeleton of arthropods (such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans) and the cell walls of fungi. Chitin is similar to cellulose in structure but with an additional nitrogen-containing group attached to each glucose monomer. This nitrogen-containing polymer provides strength and protection to the exoskeleton and cell walls. Chitin also forms the basis of various commercial products, such as surgical threads and contact lenses.
Storage carbohydrates in living things include:
1. Starch: Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules. It serves as the primary storage form of carbohydrates in plants. Starch is typically found in plant cells, particularly in storage organs like roots, tubers, and seeds.
2. Glycogen: Glycogen is the storage form of carbohydrates in animals and some fungi. It is a highly branched polysaccharide composed of glucose units. Glycogen is mainly stored in the liver and skeletal muscles and serves as a readily available energy source.
Structural carbohydrates in living things include:
1. Cellulose: Cellulose is a structural carbohydrate primarily found in the cell walls of plants. It is a complex polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules linked together in long chains. Cellulose provides rigidity and strength to plant cell walls, contributing to the structural integrity of plants.
2. Chitin: Chitin is another structural carbohydrate found in the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods (such as insects and crustaceans), and the beaks and shells of some organisms. Similar to cellulose, chitin is a polysaccharide made up of a chain of modified glucose molecules, providing support and protection to these organisms.