Different types of glycosidic linkage cause glucose polymers to form a helix (e.

Question

Different types of glycosidic linkage cause glucose polymers to form a helix (e.g., in glycogen) versus a straight chain (e.g., in cellulose). Which statement best explains why?

The geometry of the -1,6-glycosidic linkage produces helical polymers; the -1,4-glycosidic linkage does not.

Glycosidic linkages resulting from condensation reactions produce helical polymers; glycosidic linkages resulting from hydrolysis reactions produce straight chains.

The geometry of the -1,4-glycosidic linkage results in a flipped orientation of adjacent glucose monomers; the -1,4-glycosidic linkage does not.

The geometry of the -1,4-glycosidic linkage results in a flipped orientation of adjacent glucose monomers; the -1,4-glycosidic linkage does not.

Explanation / Answer

The answer is B. The differences of the angles of the glycosidic bonds give the polymers different properties. Think of cellulose, the 1-4 linkage of beta glucose monomers, every other monomer is upside down relative to its neighbor, this allows the polymer to form hydrogen bonds with parallel polymers. It takes 80 of these polymers to form a microfibril, which make up plant cell walls. If the polymers were in the shape of a helix, they would not be able to form hydrogen bonds with parallel polymers. The polymers differ based on the angle of the glycosidic bonds, this difference is responsible for the difference in the polymers properties. The properties of the polymers determine how they will be used. . The answer is not A because that option does not answer your question. The question asks "why" while answer A does not explain "why". Answer A is a statement, not an explanation. The answer is not C because glycosidic linkages do not result from hydrolysis reactions, hydrolysis reactions cause monomers to leave a polymer. A glycosidic link is the bonding of two monosaccharides, not the separation of two monosaccharides. Dehydration reactions result in glycosidic bonds.

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