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 do you mean by echinodermata, Q. What do you mean by Echinodermata? ...

Q. What do you mean by Echinodermata? You will recall that Pliylum Echinodermata includes spiny skinned animals which are exclusively marine (Gr, echinus : spiny; derma: ski

Gram positive & gram negative bacteria , What is the difference among Gram ...

What is the difference among Gram positive & Gram negative bacteria based on cell content? Ans) The cell membrane is made if more of lipoproteins in gram negative compared to gr

Apomixis, Apomixis The formation of sporophyte from the gametophyte w...

Apomixis The formation of sporophyte from the gametophyte without sexual process signifies apomixis. It relates to the replacement of alternation of a reduced gametophyte and

What is st segment depression at rest, Q. What is ST segment depression at ...

Q. What is ST segment depression at rest? ST- segment depression has become severe, that is, 3 to 4mm or more in vigorous asymptomatic subjects. If the patient is known to have

Types of retaining structure, What are the types of evaluation of lateral e...

What are the types of evaluation of lateral earth forces acting on retaining structures? This section seeks to introduce you to the evaluation of lateral earth forces acting on

Preparation for hospitalization of child - nursing, Preparation for Hospita...

Preparation for Hospitalization   Prevention is a strong component of nursing care. Preparation prior to hospitalization is  essential to make the transition from home to hospi

What is the mechanism of gap junctions, What is the mechanism by which gap ...

What is the mechanism by which gap junctions could relay signals from G protein coupled receptors between cells within a tissue?

Atypical distribution of pleural fluid, Q. Atypical Distribution of Pleural...

Q. Atypical Distribution of Pleural Fluid? i) Lamellar effusion: These are shallow collections of fluid between the chest wall and the lung surface. ii) Subpulmonic

Name three characteristics of mitochondria, Name three characteristics of m...

Name three characteristics of mitochondria and chloroplasts that support the endosymbiotic hypothesis of eukaryotic evolution. Both organelles replicate independently of the ce

Eletrons., Atom has how many eletrons

Atom has how many eletrons

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