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Polysaccharide definitions

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  • Polysaccharide
    Largest carbohydrate class, often exceeding a million sugar units, with simple composition and diverse structural or storage roles.
  • Monosaccharide
    Basic sugar unit repetitively linked to form larger carbohydrate structures, influencing overall properties.
  • Homopolysaccharide
    Structure composed of repeating units of a single sugar type, typically serving intracellular or energy storage functions.
  • Heteropolysaccharide
    Structure containing two or more different sugar types, often forming extracellular components.
  • Glycosidic Bond
    Covalent linkage joining sugar units, with variations affecting physical and chemical properties.
  • Branching
    Structural feature where chains diverge from a main chain, impacting molecular shape and function.
  • Chain Length
    Total number of sugar units in a molecule, influencing size and functional characteristics.
  • Linear Form
    Arrangement where sugar units connect in a straight, unbranched chain, affecting physical properties.
  • Energy Storage
    Functional role where carbohydrate structures serve as reserves for cellular fuel.
  • Structural Support
    Functional role where carbohydrate structures provide stability and integrity to cells or tissues.
  • Physical Properties
    Characteristics such as solubility and shape, determined by sugar identity, bond type, chain length, and branching.
  • Chemical Properties
    Reactivity and interaction traits influenced by composition and structure of carbohydrate molecules.
  • Intracellular Structure
    Component located within cells, often formed by repeating sugar units for support or storage.
  • Extracellular Structure
    Component found outside cells, typically composed of multiple sugar types for external support.