Question

Carbohydrates that function as structural molecules withstand pulling and pushing forces well. Which structural feature is most directly responsible?

Answer 1

Answer:

Carbohydrates that function as structural molecules withstand pulling and pushing forces well are Polysaccharides. Which structural feature is most directly responsible? The hydrogen bonds give structural strength and keep glucose molecules and chains closely together.

Explanation:

Polysaccharides are chains of more than ten monosaccharides, these carbohydrates are the most abundant and diverse, since they can have long and simple or branched chains. The best known are starch, glycogen and cellulose, these are made up of glucose monomers. We also find chitin, which is a polysaccharide that does not have glucose as a manomeric unit.

Cellulose: It is the main component of the plant wall and in all rigid parts, it is the structural polysaccharide of vegetables. It is formed by a linear glucose chain, which form microfibers connected to each other by hydrogen bonds.

Chitin: Formed by units of acetylglucosamine, it is the component of the exoskeleton of arthropods, the cell walls of fungi and some internal organs of molluscs and annelids. Like cellulose, the great structural resistance of chitin is due to the strong bonds of hydrogen bonds.

Compounds that act as a reservoir (or storage) of energy are starch and glycogen, in animals in the form of glycogen and in plants it is stored in the form of starch.