Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules

Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition

Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Non è quello che usi tu?Cambia libro di testo

Frost 4th Edition

Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules

Problema 45a

Capitolo 3, Problema 45a

Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
(a) not digestible by humans

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Understand the term 'polysaccharide': Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units bonded together. They serve various functions, such as energy storage and structural support.

Identify polysaccharides that are not digestible by humans: Humans lack the enzymes required to break down certain polysaccharides, making them indigestible. For example, cellulose is a polysaccharide that cannot be digested by humans because we lack the enzyme cellulase.

Explain why cellulose is indigestible: Cellulose is composed of β-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Human digestive enzymes, such as amylase, can only break α-glycosidic bonds, not β-glycosidic bonds.

Consider other examples: Other polysaccharides that are not digestible by humans include chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units linked by β-glycosidic bonds.

Summarize the answer: Polysaccharides like cellulose and chitin are examples of carbohydrates that are not digestible by humans due to the absence of specific enzymes required to break their β-glycosidic bonds.

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Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. They serve various functions in living organisms, including energy storage and structural support. Common examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose, each differing in their sugar composition and bonding patterns.

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Percorso guidato

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Polysaccharides Example 1

Digestibility

Digestibility refers to the extent to which a substance can be broken down and absorbed by the digestive system. In the context of polysaccharides, some, like starch, are digestible, while others, such as cellulose, are not due to the human body's lack of enzymes to break down certain glycosidic bonds.

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Percorso guidato

2:01

Digestion of Proteins Concept 1

Cellulose

Cellulose is a polysaccharide that forms the primary structural component of plant cell walls. It is composed of β-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, making it indigestible for humans. While it cannot be broken down for energy, cellulose plays a crucial role in digestive health as dietary fiber.

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Domanda del libro di testo

If one sweetener packet of Splenda, Sweet’N Low, or Equal has the same sweetness as two tablespoons of sugar, according to Table 6.2, which of the packets contains the smallest amount of the sweetener?

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Domanda del libro di testo

Based on the sweetness index in Table 6.2, if you tasted a drop of each of the syrups below, which would taste the sweetest?

(a) light corn syrup (100% glucose)

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Domanda del libro di testo

Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:

(d) produces maltose during digestion

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