Glycosidic Bonding

O-glycosidic bond

A bond formed between the anomeric carbon atom and a hydroxyl group of another molecule

N-glycosidic bond

A bond formed between the anomeric carbon atom and an amine group of another molecule

Oligosaccharide

A carbohydrate made up of 3-10 sugar residues

Glycosyltransferase

Any of a number of specific enzymes that catalyze the formation of glycosidic bonds.

beta-1,4 branching

Bond between a beta anomeric carbon on a monosaccharide and a carbon at the fourth position on a monosaccharide. Cellulose is linked with these

alpha-1,4 branching

Bond between an alpha anomeric carbon on a monosaccharide and a carbon at the fourth position on a monosaccharide. Glycogen is lined with these bonds

alpha-1,6 branching

Bond between an alpha anomeric carbon on a monosaccharide and a carbon at the sixth position on a monosaccharide

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides

How does alpha-1,4 branching affect glycogens structure?

Forms compact hollow cylinders suitable for accessible storage (nutritional role)

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)

The monosaccharide substrates for glycosyltransferases are activated by the attachment to this

Homopolymer

When all of the monosaccharides in the polysaccharide are the same.

How does beta-1,4 branching affect celluloses structure?

Yields a straight chain capable of interacting with other cellulose molecules to form strong fibrils (structural role).