#alpha glucose

[xeno359]

Polysaccharide: Starch

 - Starch is a compact molecule used for storage in plants

 - Formed by the condensation of Alpha glucose

 - not as branched as glycogen, therefore less soluble and denser. 

 - Held in plastids (organelles in plants)– either chloro-plasts or amylo-plasts (like in tubers)

More about plastids: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastid#Plastids_in_plants)

[xeno359]

Glucose has two Isomers: Alpha and Beta glucose. 

Isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula but a different chemical structure. 

Alpha Glucose is used to form Starch. Long chain structure, but with branches formed by glycosidic bonds.  

Beta Glucose is used to form Cellulose in Plants. Long chain structure, but no branches. Formed weak bonds with neighbouring chains. 

Starch and Glucose is formed by glycosidic bonding. 

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Starch:( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starch )

Cellulose: ( http://www.joostdevree.nl/shtmls/cellulose.shtml )

Isomers: ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isomer )

[personifiedscience]

[Three different views of a crocheted Alpha Glucose molecule.]

Perhaps not a science comic, but at one point I made an Alpha Glucose molecule using crochet and I thought I’d share.

Enjoy!