Starch, cellulose, dextran, and glycogen are polysaccharides. How are they similar? To what are their different properties due? Why can't an enzyme that hydrolyzes starch degrade cellulose?

Respuesta :

Answer:

similarity

Starch, cellulose,dextran and glycogen are all polymers of glucose

differences

                monomer/glucose     glycosidic bond    branching

1.starch              α glucose          1-4 and 1-6               branch and unbranced

  amylose                                       1-4                          unbranched

  amylopectin                               1-4 and 1-6              branched

2. dextran          α glucose          1-6                           branched

3. cellulose        β glucose           1-4                          unbranched, linear        

4. glycogen       α glucose           1-4 and 1-6              branched (shorter

                                                                                     branches than starch)

Enzyme: amlase acts on starch and cellulase acts on cellulose as they are specific for their substrates.

Explanation:

Starch: Consists of both branched amylopectin and unbranched amylose

Enzymes: Enzymes are specific as the gulcose molecule in starch is α and in cellulose is β which differ in their position of hydroxyl groups at anomeric carbon, their structures differ so they form different bonds. Active sites of enzymes can act only on specific bonds a sthey can fit to their specific substrates.