Question

1. a. what type of polysaccharide structure does glycogen have?

b. what is the advantage for having this structure? (2pts)

Explanation:

a. Glycogen is a polysaccharide. It has a highly branched structure. This branching is due to α - 1,4 - glycosidic bonds (which form the linear chains) and α - 1,6 - glycosidic bonds (which create the branches).
b. The highly branched structure of glycogen offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for rapid mobilization of glucose units. Enzymes can act on multiple non - reducing ends simultaneously. Secondly, it increases the solubility of glycogen in the aqueous environment of the cell compared to a linear structure of the same molecular weight.

Answer:

a. Glycogen has a highly branched structure (with α - 1,4 - glycosidic bonds in the linear chains and α - 1,6 - glycosidic bonds at the branch points).
b. The advantages are: rapid mobilization of glucose (due to multiple non - reducing ends for enzyme action) and increased solubility in the cell's aqueous environment.