Principles of Biochemistry

3.1.1.4 Polysaccharides

A polysaccharide is a polymeric  carbohydrate chain that contains more than ten molecules of monosaccharide units covalently bonded to each other.

E.g.Gycogen present in liver and muscle cells of animals

       Starches, cellulose and dextrins in plant tissues.

 

These are sometimes designated as hexosans or pentosans, depending upon the identity of the monosaccharides they yield on hydrolysis.

These may be classified as homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides depending on the presence of either the same monosaccharids or more than one monosaccharide.

E.g. Homopolysaccharide- Starch, Glycogen, cellulose, Dextrin

       Heteropolysaccharide- Mucopolysaccharide