Page 2: Complex Carbohydrates and Their Functions

The second page delves into more complex carbohydrate structures, particularly disaccharides and polysaccharides, explaining their formation and biological roles.

Definition: Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates formed by joining multiple simple sugar units, typically insoluble in water and requiring enzymatic breakdown.

Example: Important disaccharides include:

• Sucrose: glucose + fructose (1,2-α-glycosidic bond)
• Lactose: glucose + galactose (1,4-α-glycosidic bond)
• Maltose: glucose + glucose (1,4-α-glycosidic bond)

Highlight: Key polysaccharides and their functions:

• Glycogen: energy storage in animals and fungi
• Cellulose: structural component in plant cell walls
• Starch: energy storage in plants (20% amylose, 80% amylopectin)
• Chitin: structural component in arthropod exoskeletons

Vocabulary: The formation of 1,4-β-glycosidic bonds is crucial in cellulose structure, while 1,4-α-glycosidic bonds are important in starch formation.