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Glucose Polymers
ENDOGENOUS GLUCOSE POLYMERS
Glycogen
• Synthesized in liver & muscle (insulin: glucagon is high)
• Branched structure
• Linear segments: glucose monomers linked with alpha (1,4) glycosidic bonds
• Branch points: alpha (1,6) glycosidic bonds
• Branch point functions: i. solubilize glycogen ii. create terminal sugars for release
EXOGENOUS GLUCOSE POLYMERS
• Dietary
Amylopectin (starch)
• Fewer branches than glycogen
• Obtained from: potatoes, rice, etc.
Cellulose
• No branches
• Obtained from plants
• Glucose monomers linked with beta (1,4) glycosidic bonds
• Humans lack enzymes to break beta (1,4) glycosidic bonds