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Ch.6 Carbohydrates–Life’s Sweet Molecules
Chapter 3, Problem 6.49

ALLIED Health How is the polysaccharide heparin different from the glucose polysaccharides?

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Identify the basic structure of heparin and glucose polysaccharides. Heparin is a sulfated polysaccharide, while glucose polysaccharides like starch and glycogen are composed of glucose units.
Understand the function of heparin. Heparin is primarily used as an anticoagulant, preventing blood clotting, whereas glucose polysaccharides serve as energy storage.
Examine the monomer units. Heparin is made up of repeating disaccharide units containing glucosamine and uronic acid, often with sulfate groups, while glucose polysaccharides are composed of glucose monomers.
Consider the branching and linkage. Glucose polysaccharides like glycogen and starch have α-linkages (α-1,4 and α-1,6), whereas heparin has β-linkages and is more linear with extensive sulfation.
Reflect on the solubility and charge. Heparin is highly charged due to its sulfate groups, making it more soluble in water compared to the less charged glucose polysaccharides.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. They serve various functions in biological systems, including energy storage (like starch and glycogen) and structural roles (like cellulose). Understanding their structure and function is crucial for distinguishing different types of polysaccharides, such as heparin and glucose polysaccharides.
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Heparin

Heparin is a specific type of polysaccharide known as a glycosaminoglycan, which is composed of repeating disaccharide units. It is primarily involved in anticoagulation, preventing blood clotting by inhibiting thrombin and other factors in the coagulation cascade. Its unique structure and sulfation patterns differentiate it from other polysaccharides like glucose.

Glucose Polysaccharides

Glucose polysaccharides, such as starch and glycogen, are composed solely of glucose monomers. They primarily function as energy storage molecules in plants and animals. Unlike heparin, these polysaccharides do not have the same anticoagulant properties and are not sulfated, which significantly affects their biological roles and interactions.
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Polysaccharides Example 1