Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Carbohydrates

Anatomy & Physiology

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Carbohydrates

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Problem 2

Textbook Question

The enzyme amylase can break glycosidic linkages between glucose monomers only if the monomers are in the αform. Which of the following could amylase break down?a. glycogen, starch, and amylopectinb. glycogen and cellulosec. cellulose and chitind. starch, chitin, and cellulose

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the structure of glucose monomers in each polysaccharide.

Understand that amylase can only break down polysaccharides with α-glycosidic linkages.

Recognize that glycogen, starch, and amylopectin have α-glycosidic linkages.

Note that cellulose and chitin have β-glycosidic linkages, which amylase cannot break.

Determine which options contain only polysaccharides with α-glycosidic linkages.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Glycosidic Linkages

Glycosidic linkages are covalent bonds that connect monosaccharides to form polysaccharides. They can be classified as α or β based on the orientation of the hydroxyl group on the first carbon of the glucose monomer. Amylase specifically targets α-glycosidic linkages, which are found in starch and glycogen, allowing it to break these down into simpler sugars.

Types of Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are large carbohydrate molecules composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. Common examples include starch, glycogen, cellulose, and chitin. Starch and glycogen contain α-glycosidic linkages, making them substrates for amylase, while cellulose and chitin contain β-glycosidic linkages, which amylase cannot break down.

Enzyme Specificity

Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to select and catalyze a particular substrate among many possible molecules. Amylase is specific for α-glycosidic linkages, meaning it will only act on polysaccharides like starch and glycogen, but not on those with β-glycosidic linkages, such as cellulose and chitin. This specificity is crucial for understanding which substrates can be broken down by amylase.