Table of contents | |
What is Polysaccharides? | |
Characterstics of Polysaccharides (Carbohydrates) | |
Types of Polysaccharides | |
What are Nucleic Acids? |
A polysaccharide is a type of carbohydrate, specifically a complex carbohydrate, that consists of multiple monosaccharide (simple sugar) units linked together. These long chains of sugar molecules can be quite large and complex. Polysaccharides serve various important functions in living organisms, such as energy storage, structural support, and cellular recognition.
Polysaccharides have diverse functions in living organisms, including energy storage, structural support, and as components of important molecules like DNA and RNA. They are made up of long chains of monosaccharides (simple sugars) linked together by glycosidic bonds, and the specific arrangement and type of monosaccharides determine the properties and functions of the polysaccharide.
Common examples of polysaccharides include starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin.
Polysaccharide are categorized in two ways:
(a) Homopolysaccharides.
(b) Heteropolysaccharides.
Homopolysaccharides, are a type of polysaccharide where every unit within the structure is made up of the same kind of monosaccharide. Unlike heteropolysaccharides, which contain a variety of monosaccharide types, homopolysaccharides are characterized by their uniformity in monosaccharide composition throughout.
Heteropolysaccharides, or heteroglycans, are polysaccharides that consist of multiple types of monosaccharides, resulting in a wide array of sugar units within their structures. Unlike homopolysaccharides, where each monosaccharide unit is identical, heteropolysaccharides exhibit diversity in monosaccharide composition, featuring different structures and properties.
Nucleic acids are large biomolecules essential for life, found in all living organisms. They play crucial roles in storing, transmitting, and expressing genetic information. There are two main types of nucleic acids: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA).
Nucleotides link together through phosphodiester bonds to form long chains, which constitute the backbone of DNA and RNA molecules. The sequence of nucleotides along these chains carries genetic information and plays a vital role in the functioning of cells.
Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA. They are composed of three main components:
182 videos|365 docs|153 tests
|
1. What are Polysaccharides? |
2. What are the characteristics of Polysaccharides (Carbohydrates)? |
3. What are the types of Polysaccharides? |
4. What are Nucleic Acids? |
5. How are Nucleic Acids and Polysaccharides related? |
|
Explore Courses for NEET exam
|