A level Biology Year 1

1.2 – 1.4 theory

Part 1: Monosaccharides and
disaccharides
 Learning objectives

Describe how carbohydrates are constructed.

Describe the structure of monosaccharides; α-glucose and β-
glucose.
Explain how monosaccharides are linked together to form
disaccharides.
Describe how α-glucose are linked to form maltose and starch
(polysaccharides).
 The Big question
How are monosaccharides different to each
other and how do they join together to form
disaccharides?
 Recap from your prep notes
What is the difference between on mono- and
disaccharide?
What is the general formula for
monosaccharides? How do they differ?
What is the general ending for naming
monosaccharides?
What do we know about monosaccharides?

- A single sugar unit

- Sweet and soluble

- Contain carbon, hydrogen & oxygen

- Classified according to the number of

carbons a molecule has.
 Question
What do these diagrams tell us about these
common monosaccharides?
 The most common
monosaccharide!
What are the main biological roles of glucose in
organisms?
An instant source of energy  Aerobic
respiration
Building block for other substances e.g. sucrose,
starch, cellulose, glycogen
What’s an isomer? Spot the difference?
• Both these molecules are glucose.
• Both have a molecular formula of C6H12O6.
• But they are structurally different. How?? Describe it scientifically
 TASK: Make your own glucose
1. Cut out the model; half of you will make α-glucose
and half will make β-glucose.

2. Use the mini whiteboards to practise drawing

glucose
TIP:
a. Draw the 6 carbons, (don’t forget O in the ring! B.
b. Try to remember the OH groups
c. Add the H so it is made up to C6H12O6
 Forming a disaccharide…
…MALTOSE
What is happening here?
 Forming a disaccharide…
…MALTOSE
Two α glucose molecules C1 & C4 meet.
OH (hydroxyl grp) from C1 & H from C4 react.
Water is expelled.
A condensation reaction.
This can be reversed by adding water -
hydrolysis.
It is called a α-1,4 glycosidic linkage
 TASK: Your go!
On your mini whiteboard, draw the glycosidic
bond that joins 2 α –glucose to make maltose
 The Big question
You have 5 minutes to try and answer this question as a group to
help you revise for progress checks 1.2 and 1.3.
How are monosaccharides different to each
other and how do they join together to form
disaccharides?
 Progress check
You have 15 minutes to complete both progress
checks
 Learning objectives

Describe how carbohydrates are constructed.

Describe the structure of monosaccharides; α-glucose and β-
glucose.
Explain how monosaccharides are linked together to form
disaccharides.
Describe how α-glucose are linked to form maltose and starch
(polysaccharides).
A level Biology Year 1

1.2 – 1.4 theory

Part 2: Polysaccharides; starch,
glycogen and cellulose
 Learning objectives

Explain how α-glucose monomers are

arranged to form glycogen and starch.
Explain how β-glucose monomers are
arranged to form cellulose.
Explain how their molecular structures are
related to their function.
 The Big question
What is the structure of glycogen, starch
and cellulose and how does this relate to
their structure?
 Polysaccharides

• Polymers with subunits of monosaccharides

• Repeated condensation reactions
• Normally 1000’s of monomers
• Polysaccharides are not sugars

STARCH CELLULOSE GLYCOGEN

 Starch
Polymer of glucose.
Plant storage polysaccharide.
• Made up of two types of substances;
1)Amylose 2) Amylopectin
Why should a storage
Amylose polymer be a) large b)
Condensation reactions between α glucose (α 1-4 links).
coiled?
Forms from 1000s of condensation reactions.

Coiled springs are formed.

Spiral structure of
amylose; part of starch.
 Starch

Made up of two types of substances;

1) Amylose 2) Amylopectin

Amylopectin
Why should a storage
• Condensation reactions between α glucose
(1-4 links).
polymer be c) branched?
• Branches of 1-6 links also exist.

• Coiled springs with a branched structure are

formed.
1-6 links form a branch
structure

1-4 links form a helical

structure
Amylopectin

Mostly 1-4 links.

Some 1-6 links.
 Glycogen
This is the storage polysaccharide in animals
(equivalent to starch in plants).
Found in liver and muscle cells where a store of energy is
needed. Why should a storage
Many fungipolymer in animals be a)
also store glycogen.
Similar inlarge
structureb) branched
to starch - but morec)
branched.
Forms tiny granules inside cells which are usually associated
more branched
with smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
than a
plant?
Each glycogen molecule contains a few 1000 glucose units.
 GLYCOGEN is the storage
polysaccharide in animals

It has 1-4 links

and 1-6 links
 Cellulose
• Present in plant cell walls.
• Has a slow decomposition.
• Why is it important that
It is the most abundant organic molecule on the planet!!
• It is mechanically very strong.
• cellulose is made of β-
It is a polymer of β glucose
•
glucose b) What are the
β-C1-4 links make up this polysaccharide.

• properties
If C1 and C4 are to react,that make is
one glucose
molecule needs to flip through 180 . o

• It is thisan excellent
subtle structural
difference that make cellulose so strong!
•
polymer?
This structure has H bonds holding it together
70 chains of β glucose combine to form a
MICROFIBRIL.

Lots of MICROFIBRILS are held together to form

FIBRES.
 Learning objectives

Explain how α-glucose monomers are

arranged to form glycogen and starch.
Explain how β-glucose monomers are
arranged to form cellulose.
Explain how their molecular structures are
related to their function.
 The Big question
You have 5 minutes to try and answer this question as a group to
help you revise for progress check 1.4.
What is the structure of glycogen, starch
and cellulose and how does this relate to
their structure?
 Progress check
You have 15 minutes to complete the progress
check for 1.4
 Homework
Complete the blendspace prep notes on lipids

https://
www.blendspace.com/lessons/kCZuIQU0tcseTA/
ama-aqa-biology-year-1-1-5-lipids