Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

20. Carbohydrates

Polysaccharides

GOB Chemistry

20. Carbohydrates

Polysaccharides

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Problem 49a

Textbook Question

Give the name of one or more polysaccharides that matches each of the following descriptions:
a. not digestible by humans

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the term 'polysaccharide'. Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. They serve various functions such as energy storage (e.g., starch, glycogen) and structural support (e.g., cellulose, chitin).

Step 2: Recognize that the problem asks for a polysaccharide that is 'not digestible by humans'. This means the polysaccharide cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes into its monosaccharide components.

Step 3: Recall that humans lack the enzyme cellulase, which is required to break the β(1→4) glycosidic bonds found in cellulose. Therefore, cellulose is a polysaccharide that is not digestible by humans.

Step 4: Consider other examples of indigestible polysaccharides. Chitin, another structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of arthropods and fungal cell walls, is also not digestible by humans due to its β(1→4) glycosidic bonds and the presence of N-acetylglucosamine units.

Step 5: Conclude that cellulose and chitin are examples of polysaccharides that match the description of being 'not digestible by humans'.

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Key Concepts

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

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates composed of long chains of monosaccharide units. They serve various functions in living organisms, including energy storage and structural support. Common examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose, each differing in their structure and digestibility.

Digestibility

Digestibility refers to the extent to which a substance can be broken down and absorbed by the digestive system. In the context of polysaccharides, some, like starch, are digestible by humans, while others, such as cellulose, are not due to the lack of necessary enzymes to break them down.

Cellulose

Cellulose is a polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls. It is composed of glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, making it indigestible for humans. While it provides dietary fiber, aiding in digestion, it cannot be broken down into glucose for energy.

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