Two storage carbohydrates found in living things are glycogen and starch.
1. Glycogen: It is the main storage form of carbohydrates in animals, including humans. It is formed by the liver and muscles to store excess glucose for future energy needs. Glycogen is highly branched, allowing for quick access and release of glucose when energy is required.
2. Starch: It is the primary storage carbohydrate in plants. Starch is formed by plants during photosynthesis and stored in different organs, such as seeds, tubers, and roots. It is composed of two types of glucose polymers: amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched). Starch serves as an energy reserve for plants and is broken down into glucose when needed.
Two structural carbohydrates found in living things are cellulose and chitin.
3. Cellulose: It is a structural carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants and some algae. Cellulose consists of linear chains of glucose molecules linked together by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds. These chains align to form microfibrils, providing strength and rigidity to plant cell walls. Cellulose is indigestible by most animals due to their inability to break the beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
4. Chitin: It is a structural carbohydrate found in the exoskeleton of arthropods (such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans) and the cell walls of fungi. Chitin is similar to cellulose in structure but with an additional nitrogen-containing group attached to each glucose monomer. This nitrogen-containing polymer provides strength and protection to the exoskeleton and cell walls. Chitin also forms the basis of various commercial products, such as surgical threads and contact lenses.
Give 2 storage and 2 structures of carbohydrates in living things
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