Functions of polysaccharides, Biology

Assignment Help:

FUNCTIONS OF POLYSACCHARIDES

  • Chitin is a structural component of fungal cell wall and exoskeleton of insects, crustaceans and some other arthropods.
  • Peptidoglycan or Murien is structural component of bacterial cell wall.
  • Mucilage or Slime Sheath is a mucopolysaccharide based viscous solution that is formed outside the body of many aquatic organisms to protect them from rotting effect of water, epiphytes and toxic chemicals. Mucilage may form a capsule around certain bacteria.
  • In plants pectic compounds and in animals hyaluronic acid are used as cell cement.
  • Mucus is a formed from mucoproteins and is meant for protecting lining layers of various tracts in the body from corroding chemicals and harmful microbes e.g., respiratory tract, stomach, intestine, cervix, etc.
  • Glycocalyx is a sugar coating over the cell membrane in animal cells which has several functions like

                     (a) Protection                   (b) Providing shape        (c) Attacting cations

                     (d) Sites for recognition    (e) Sites for receptors    (f) Blood group antigens  (g) Antibodies

  • Heparin is anticoagulant of blood and connective tissue.
  • Hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate provide lubrication to different body parts like tendons, ligaments, skin, connective tissue, joints (as synovial fluid), central nervous system (as cerebrospinal fluid), tissues (interstitial fluid), eyes (vitreous humour), etc.
  • Pectin is used as jellying agent.
  • Agar (from red algae Gelidium, Gracilaria) is used as culture medium, emulsifying and stabilizing agent in dairy products, confectioners and cosmetics.

Monosaccharide test = Benedict's test & Fehling's test

Polysaccharide test = Iodine test

Note :- Galactosemia disease in children can be removed by giving milk less diet.


Related Discussions:- Functions of polysaccharides

What is the meaning of schizogony, What is the meaning of Schizogony? A...

What is the meaning of Schizogony? A form of asexual reproduction found in some protozoans. An already multinucleated cell undergoes cell division which results in each daughte

Biological conservation, what are the significance of zoological parks in c...

what are the significance of zoological parks in conversation

The immediate effects of exercise on the heart and the lungs, (a) What are ...

(a) What are the immediate effects of exercise on the functions of (i) the heart, (ii) the lungs, (iii) the liver? (b) How do these changes help to meet the needs of exercise

Obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd), OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD): ...

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD): OCD is another common neurotic disorder seen in the hospital.  Definition  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is  the disorder characte

Studying the main parts of a flower, Studying the main parts of a flower ...

Studying the main parts of a flower Study specimens of large easy flowers such as tulips or lilies. Count the stamens and observe how they are arranged about the central pistil

Indications for surgery-pericardial diseases, Indications for Surgery :  O...

Indications for Surgery :  Once diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis is made and confirmed by chest X-ray, ECG, echocardiogram, CT, MRI scan, cardiac catheterisation and angio,

Explain about the spectrophotometer, Explain about the Spectrophotometer? ...

Explain about the Spectrophotometer? The spectrophotometer, a key instrument today in biomedical laboratories, was invented in 1939 by the American chemist Arnold O. Beckman (1

Local needs, Local Needs, Choices and Circumstances Beyond obvious cho...

Local Needs, Choices and Circumstances Beyond obvious choice for private sector, the best public-private balance for a country depends on its local culture and circumstances.

Discuss the example of comprehensive neuropsychology, Discuss the example o...

Discuss the example of Comprehensive neuropsychology  Example of these include deficits of visuo-spatial perception hampering performance on construction tasks, poor comprehe

Phylum annelida, what so special for phylum annelida

what so special for phylum annelida

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd