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Chapter 24: Problem 70

What is the empirical formula of glycogen? What is the unit that forms the basis of the glycogen polymer? What form of linkage joins these monomeric units?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The empirical formula of glycogen is \(C_6H_10O_5\), and the monomeric unit forming the basis of the glycogen polymer is glucose. These glucose units are joined by α(1→4) and α(1→6) glycosidic linkages, with linear chains linked through α(1→4) glycosidic bonds and branches occurring at α(1→6) glycosidic linkages.

Step by step solution

01

Determine the empirical formula of glycogen

Glycogen is a polysaccharide and an energy storage molecule in animals and fungi. The empirical formula of a molecule is the simplest whole number ratio of the atoms present in the compound. In the case of glycogen, it is composed of glucose molecules, and its empirical formula is the same as that of glucose, which is C_6H_10O_5.
02

Identify the unit that forms the basis of the glycogen polymer

The unit that forms the basis of the glycogen polymer is the monosaccharide glucose. Glycogen is a large, branched molecule containing many glucose residues. Glucose units are connected through glycosidic linkages, which will be discussed further in step 3.
03

Identify the form of linkage that joins the monomeric units

The glucose units in glycogen are connected through two types of glycosidic linkages: α(1→4) and α(1→6). The linear chains of glucose residues are linked through α(1→4) glycosidic linkages, while branches occur at α(1→6) glycosidic linkages approximately every 8-12 glucose units. Both linkage types involve the glucose molecule's anomeric carbon (C-1) and the hydroxyl group at position C-4 or C-6 of the adjacent glucose unit. In summary, the empirical formula of glycogen is C_6H_10O_5, the monomeric unit is glucose, and the linkages joining these units are α(1→4) and α(1→6) glycosidic linkages.

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