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

Evolution of photosynthesis and aerobic respiration, Evolution of Photosynt...

Evolution of Photosynthesis and Aerobic Respiration It is assumed that the earlier form of the bacteria utilised H 2 S for the preparation of food. The following reaction shows

Criticism of lamarckism, point out the criticism of lamarckism in any six s...

point out the criticism of lamarckism in any six short points.

The osmolarity of the rbcs and plasma after equilibration, Ed Rivers, a 3rd...

Ed Rivers, a 3rd year medical student, was alone in the hospital ER one night. It was unusually quiet that night, and the resident was getting some much needed sleep. A patient, Mr

Rassenkreis and speciation, According to the current concept of speciation,...

According to the current concept of speciation, a widely distributed species should break up into partially isolated rule species. The different subspecies become differentiated fu

Difference between parental gametes and recombinant gametes, In genetic rec...

In genetic recombination by crossing over what is the difference between parental gametes and recombinant gametes? The Parental gametes are those gametes that maintain the orig

What is physical activity ratio, What is Physical activity ratio? Physi...

What is Physical activity ratio? Physical activity ratio (PAR): The energy cost of an activity per unit of time (usually a minute or an hour) expressed as a multiple of BMR. It

Explain biotin (vitamin h), Biotin (vitamin H) It was revealed  that eg...

Biotin (vitamin H) It was revealed  that egg yolk could prevent dermatitis and emaciation  in  rats that were kept on  raw  egg white a$ the main protein source. The factor of

Animals, explain the modes of nurition in animals

explain the modes of nurition in animals

Conformational protection - azotobacter, Conformational Protection - Azotob...

Conformational Protection - Azotobacter In conformational protection a Fe-S redox protein provides protection to the enzyme. The protein gets oxidised in the presence of oxyge

Estuaries - aquatic ecosystems, Estuaries - Aquatic Ecosystems All the...

Estuaries - Aquatic Ecosystems All the rivers and lakes ultimately drain into the sea. However, many rivers develop a highly specialised zone before joining the proper sea. Th

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