In polysaccharides, the linkage connecting monosaccharide is called:a)...
Monosaccharides such as glucose can be linked together in condensation reactions. For example, sucrose (table sugar) is formed from one molecule of glucose and one of fructose, as shown below. Molecules composed of two monosaccharides are called disaccharides.
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In polysaccharides, the linkage connecting monosaccharide is called:a)...
Introduction:
Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of repeating units of monosaccharides. These monosaccharides are linked together by a specific type of bond known as the glycosidic linkage. The glycosidic linkage is a covalent bond formed between the anomeric carbon of one monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group on another monosaccharide. It is the key structural feature that gives polysaccharides their unique properties and functions.
Explanation:
The correct answer is option 'D', the glycosidic linkage. Let's understand why this is the correct answer and explore the other options:
1. Peptide linkage:
- Peptide linkages are covalent bonds that connect amino acids to form proteins.
- Polysaccharides are not formed by peptide linkages, so this option is incorrect.
2. Glycogen linkage:
- Glycogen is a storage polysaccharide found in animals, including humans.
- While glycogen is composed of glucose monomers, the linkage connecting these monomers is the glycosidic linkage, not the glycogen linkage.
- Therefore, this option is incorrect.
3. Nucleosidic linkage:
- Nucleosidic linkages are covalent bonds that connect nucleotides to form nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.
- Polysaccharides are not formed by nucleosidic linkages, so this option is incorrect.
The Glycosidic Linkage:
The glycosidic linkage is a specific type of covalent bond formed between the anomeric carbon of one monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group on another monosaccharide. It is formed through a condensation reaction, where a molecule of water is eliminated.
- The anomeric carbon is the carbon atom that is involved in forming the ring structure of a monosaccharide.
- The hydroxyl group can be located on a different monosaccharide or on the same monosaccharide, resulting in different types of glycosidic linkages.
Properties and Functions:
The glycosidic linkage plays a crucial role in determining the properties and functions of polysaccharides:
- The type of glycosidic linkage determines the structure and shape of the polysaccharide molecule.
- It affects the solubility, digestibility, and stability of the polysaccharide.
- Different types of glycosidic linkages result in different polysaccharides with distinct functions, such as energy storage (e.g., starch, glycogen) or structural support (e.g., cellulose, chitin).
Conclusion:
In polysaccharides, the linkage connecting monosaccharides is called the glycosidic linkage. This covalent bond is formed between the anomeric carbon of one monosaccharide and a hydroxyl group on another monosaccharide. The glycosidic linkage determines the structure, properties, and functions of polysaccharides.