Alpha-glucan

Alpha-glucan (pronunciation: /ˈælfə gluːkæn/) is a type of Polysaccharide that is composed of alpha-D-glucose units. The term "alpha-glucan" is derived from the Greek word "αλφα" (alpha), which is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and the word "glucan", which is derived from "glucose", a type of sugar.

Structure

Alpha-glucans are composed of alpha-D-glucose units that are linked together by glycosidic bonds. These bonds can be either alpha-1,4 or alpha-1,6, depending on the specific type of alpha-glucan. Some common examples of alpha-glucans include Glycogen, Starch, and Dextrin.

Function

In the human body, alpha-glucans play a crucial role in energy storage and metabolism. They are stored in the liver and muscles and are broken down into glucose when energy is needed. In plants, alpha-glucans (in the form of starch) serve as the primary energy storage molecule.

Related Terms

• Polysaccharide
• Glycogen
• Starch
• Dextrin
• Glucose

See Also

• Beta-glucan
• Carbohydrate
• Monosaccharide
• Disaccharide

References

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