What Are The Examples Of Polysaccharides?
During your schooling, you learned the example of polysaccharides. Here we will know them in detail and add some more examples. After listening to the word ‘poly’ in the word, you may understand pluralism. It is also true, polysaccharide terms denote the compounds made by combining different compounds of sugar. Therefore, it is called polysaccharides. In short, the polysaccharide is made by combining monosaccharides. Without extending the discussion, let’s look at the example of polysaccharides.
What Are The Polysaccharides?
Before understanding the examples of polysaccharides carbohydrates, you should be aware of polysaccharides definition and examples. Well, polysaccharides are complex biomolecules or carbohydrates that are made up of chains of monosaccharides. The bonds that form these chains are called glycosidic bonds. The monomers commonly found in polysaccharides are fructose, mannose, glucose, and galactose, which are simple sugar.
While talking about polysaccharides structure, consists of a molecule of oxygen bridging two carbon rings. When a carbon atom of one molecule loses a hydroxyl group and the hydroxyl group of another monosaccharide loses hydrogen, a bond is formed.
What is polysaccharide function? Well, polysaccharides serve as a structural organization in animals and plants. Other functions include energy storage in animals.
Now, let’s know what are examples of polysaccharides.
What Are The Examples Of Polysaccharides?
The examples of polysaccharides will make you aware of them and also give you some extra information about the same.
- Cellulose
- Starch
- Glycogen
- Chitin
Let’s understand the examples of polysaccharides and where are they found.
Examples Of Polysaccharides
Let’s understand all the examples of polysaccharides and their functions mentioned above in detail individually. It will help you in understanding the polysaccharides concept.
1. Cellulose
There are lots of examples of polysaccharides in biology. So, one of the important examples of polysaccharides in plants is called cellulose. Cellulose is an organic compound with the chemical formula of C6H10O5. It is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. It is also a complex carbohydrate or polysaccharide consisting of hundreds to thousands of monomers of glucose, linked together to form a long chain of cellulose. It is one of the common structural polysaccharide examples of protein in plants and algae. Cellulose is mainly used in paper manufacturing, where the kraft process is used to separate cellulose from lignin. Cellulose fiber is also used in the textile industry.
2. Starch
One of the very common examples of polysaccharides foods is starch, which is commonly found in plants and animals also. Starchy foods are the basic source of carbohydrates for most people. Also, food rich in starch is a valuable ingredient in the kitchen, too, as it can thicken soups and sauces without adding salt. Well, starch is a complex carbohydrate that is found in many foods including grains, fruits, and vegetables. The main sources of starch are tapioca, wheat, maize, and potatoes.
The different plants contain different types of starch. However, amylose usually constitutes up to 30% of the starch, the remainder being amylopectin. Plants produce these starch polymers to store the glucose they produce during photosynthesis. The food examples of polysaccharides are cereal foods, potatoes, corn, root vegetables, etc.
3. Glycogen
There are lots of examples of polysaccharides in living organisms and one among them is glycogen. Examples of polysaccharides in animals are glycogen and starch. Well, glycogen is a polysaccharide of glucose that is used in fungi and animals as a form of energy storage. The polysaccharide structure of glucose shows the basic storage form of glucose in the body. It is made and stored in liver and muscle cells, which are hydrated by 4 volumes of water.
Glycogen is composed of long polymer chains of glucose units that are bonded with an alpha-acetal linkage. This acetal bond is formed by combining a carbonyl group with an alcohol group. Liver glycogen acts as a glucose reserve that hepatocytes release when there is a need to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
4. Chitin
Till now, you know what are three examples of polysaccharides. Here is the fourth example of polysaccharides and it is chitin. Chitin is the most commonly found amino polysaccharide polymer occurring in nature. It is a construction material that reinforces the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and the cell walls of fungi. Chitin can be converted to its most popular derivative, called chitosan, by enzymatic or chemical deacetylation.
It is a modified polysaccharide that contains nitrogen, it is synthesized from units of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. These units form a covalent beta-bond or linkage. It is the most abundant renewable polymer in the ocean and is an important source of carbon and nitrogen for marine organisms.
Follow Knowexamples to know more about various examples.
FAQ
What Are 4 Examples Of Polysaccharides?
Common examples of polysaccharides are cellulose, starch, glycogen, and chitin.
Is Lactose A Polysaccharide?
Lactose is a disaccharide comprised of glucose linked to galactose. Disaccharides are sugars made of two carbohydrate residues. Lactose is therefore not a polysaccharide because the biochemical definition of a polysaccharide states that polysaccharides must possess at least three carbohydrate residues linked together.
What Are The 3 Most Common Polysaccharides?
Polysaccharides are the most abundant carbohydrate found in food. The three important polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, and cellulose composed of glucose.
Is Glycogen Is A Polysaccharide?
Glycogen is a glucose polysaccharide occurring in most mammalian and nonmammalian cells, in microorganisms, and even in some plants. It is an important and quickly mobilized source of stored glucose. In vertebrates it is stored mainly in the liver as a reserve of glucose for other tissues.
What List Contains Only Polysaccharides?
The correct answer is: b) cellulose, starch, and glycogen.
Conclusion
By reading this article, you have understood all the examples of polysaccharides. In polysaccharides, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are usually in the ratio 1:2:1. They are one of the most important classes of biomolecules. They are an important source of energy and they also act as structural components. As a nutrient, they can be classified into two major groups namely complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates. From now on, you won’t need to search for examples of polysaccharides.
