Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are polymers of monosaccharides. Polysaccharides are formed by three or more monosaccharides, for example Amylose (starch), Amylopectin, Glycogen (animal storage polymer), Cellulose, etc.

AMYLOSE AND AMYLOPECTIN

Amylose, or starch, is a helical chain of Glucose monomers, which are bonded by glycosidic linkages (Alfa linkages 1 - 4). Amylose is a storage polysaccharide in plant cells, we can obtain Amylose from potatoes. Humans can use Amylose as an energy source by hydrolysis of the polymer using specific enzymes (organic substances that accelerate or retard the biochemical reactions).

Amylopectin is the branched starch, and it can also be used by humans as a primary energy source.

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GLYCOGEN

Glycogen is the storage polysaccharide in animals. It is also known as "animal starch" because of its similitude with Amylopectin molecules, but Glycogen is more branched than Amylopectin. Besides, Glycogen molecules are tighter than Amylopectin molecules. Humans can use Glycogen as an energy source by hydrolysis of the polymer using specific enzymes (organic substances that accelerate or retard the biochemical reactions).