Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

H2 BIOLOGY
1 : CORE IDEAS
(1) The Cell and Biomolecules of Life Carbohydrates
NAME: ___________________________________________ CT GROUP:_____________________

Do the questions in the following order:

Structured  Q2, Q3 and Q4 ; Essay  Q6b
STRUCTURED QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1 J96/P3/Q2
Describe 4 differences in molecular structure between cellulose and starch. [4]
Any 4 points of comparison:
Points of
Cellulose Starch
comparison
1.Monomer Cellulose is made up of β-glucose* Starch is made up of α-glucose monomers
monomers (complete sentence and
sentence makes sense if read in
isolation)
2.Bond β(1-4) glycosidic bond* links monomers α(1-4) glycosidic bond* links monomers in
between of cellulose amylose, α(1-4) glycosidic bond* and α(1-6)
monomers glycosidic bond* links monomers in
amylopectin
3.Orientation Alternate glucose* units are rotated All glucose* units in the chain have the same
of monomer 180o * with respect to each other orientation*

4.Structure of Cellulose is a long, straight* chain Amylose in starch is a spiral/helical/coiled*

each molecule strand or amylopectin in starch is a coiled
branched * molecule

5.Bonds Hydroxyl groups* projecting outwards No interchain hydrogen bonding* in starch

between in both directions allow intermolecular/
molecules interchain hydrogen bonding*
 leading to microfibril formation for
cellulose

6.Branching No branching* present in cellulose Branching* with α (1-6) glycosidic bonds*

in amylopectin

Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 1

 Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

(a) Relate these functional differences to the differences in molecular structure of cellulose and starch. [4]
Cellulose
Molecular structure
β glucose* monomers are linked by β (1-4)
glycosidic bonds*
Alternate glucose residues* inverted 180°* with
respect to one another allowing straight chains*
to be formed with hydroxyl groups* projecting
out in either direction. Numerous Hydrogen
bonding* between adjacent chains form
microfibrils.
Structural function
Enzymes* that hydrolyse* these bonds
are rarely* found in nature and therefore
1
likely to remain intact and are thus suitable
as structural molecules
Straight chains* allow packing of
cellulose chains into bundles of
1
microfibrils* with high tensile strength*
that make up to cell wall

Starch (any 2)
Molecular structure Storage function
Enzymes* (amylase) that hydrolyse*
α glucose* monomers are linked by α (1-4)
these bonds are commonly available. 1
glycosidic* bonds
Glucose units readily released for
respiration to yield energy*.

α glucose* monomers are linked by α (1-4) Helical arrangement allows more glucose
glycosidic* bonds which give rise to helical* residues per unit volume  compact* 1
molecules of amylose (and amylopectin) as each storage
residue is bent in one direction with respect to an
adjacent residue

Branching* with α (1-6) glycosidic bonds* in Branching* presents more ends for
amylopectin hydrolytic action by amylases thus making
1
making it more efficient to release glucose

(b) Name the bond formed between adjacent glucose molecules in starch and cellulose. [1]
Glycosidic bond*

(c) Suggest why amylase, the enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch, will not catalyse the hydrolysis
of cellulose. [2]
• Amylase has a specific active site* with a complementary charge and conformation* to substrate
which it binds with and catalyses the hydrolysis of α(14) glycosidic bond*;
• Cellulose has β(14) glycosidic bonds* whose 3D conformation is not complementary to active
site of amylase;

Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 2

 Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

QUESTION 2 N14P2Q2
Fig.2.1 shows the molecular structure of maltose, which is formed from two glucose molecules.

(a) Give the full name of the bond holding the two glucose molecules together. [2]
α (14) glycosidic bond

(b) Describe how this bond may be broken to release two molecules of glucose. [2]
Addition of one water molecule results in hydrolysis of α (14) glycosidic bond in maltose, results in
production of 2 glucose molecules.

QUESTION 3 N17P2Q1

Fig. 1.1 shows a representation of a glycogen granule. Glycogen granules are made up of glycogen
molecules surrounding a central core.

(a)(i) State the number of glycogen molecules shown in Fig. 1.1. [1]
• 2

(ii) Name the type of molecule forming the central core of the glycogen granule, in Fig. 1.1. [1]
• Protein / polypeptide

(iii) Suggest the role of the molecule forming the central core of the glycogen granule. [1]

• binds / holds 2 glycogen molecules together;

• enzyme for the synthesis of glycogen

(b) Explain how the structure of glycogen is related to its role in living organisms. [4]
1. Large molecule/long chain so insoluble in water ;
2. Hence does not affect water potential of cells / no osmotic effect ;
3. Helical molecule so more glucose* units per unit volume, thus compact structure for storage ;
4. Extensively branched so provides many ends for hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds ;
5. which releases more glucose* molecules per unit time ;

(c) Describe how the structure of cellulose is different from the structure of glycogen. [3]

Cellulose Glycogen
monomer β-glucose* α-glucose*
bonds β-1,4 glycosidic bonds* α-1,4 and α-1,6 glycosidic
bonds*
Orientation of Alternate glucose units are rotated All glucose units in the chain have
monomer 1800/inverted with respect to each other same orientation
Structure of each forming straight / linear unbranched Forms helical coil which is
molecule chains ; extensively branched ;

Bonds between Hydroxyl groups projecting outwards in No interchain hydrogen bonding in

molecules both directions allow intermolecular/ glycogen
interchain hydrogen bonding
 leading to microfibril formation for
cellulose
Note: must be written in full sentences

Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 3

 Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

QUESTION 4 H1 N18P2Q1

1(b) Fig 1.1 shows the structure of a simple glycolipid.

Fig 1.1

(i) State the name of the type of covalent bond that links a carbohydrate molecule to another
molecule. An example of this type of covalent bond is circled with a dotted line on Fig 1.1 [1]
Glycosidic bond

There are several different forms of the type of covalent bond that links a carbohydrate molecule to
another molecule. Two of these forms are found in the plant storage molecule amylopectin.

(ii) Name the two forms of this type of bond that are found in amylopectin [1]
α(1-4) glycosidic bond* and α (1-6) glycosidic bond*.

(iii) State how each of these two forms of the bond contributes to the structure of amylopectin [2]

1. α(1-4) glycosidic bond* allows for the α-glucose monomers to be packed into a
helical coil within a branch;
2. And α(1-6) glycosidic bonds* links the α-glucose monomer at branch points
which results in a branched helical structure;

Question 5 N19/P2/Q2
Cellulose is a polymer made up of monomers bonded together.

(a) Name the monomers that join to form a cellulose molecule. [1]
β-glucose monomers

(b) Name the covalent bond between two for these monomers in a cellulose molecule and
describe how this bond is formed. [3]
1. β(1-4) glycosidic bond*
2. The glycosidic bond forms between C1 of one β glucose* monomer and C4 of another β
glucose* monomer;
3. Condensation* reaction joining two β glucose residues with removal of one water* molecule;
Reaction is catalysed by enzymes*;

Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 4

 Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

(c) Explain how the molecular structure of cellulose is related to the high tensile strength of
the cellulose cell walls of plants. [3]
1. Adjacent β glucose* monomers are rotated 180o* with respect to each other cellulose
2. Forming a straight* chain/molecule and is able to lie parallel* to other cellulose chains;
3. Hydroxyl groups* project outwards from each molecule, allowing extensive hydrogen bonding*
between adjacent chains, forming microfibrils* with high tensile strength* that make up the cell
wall

(d) Suggest why cellulose must be synthesised at the cell surface membrane and not inside
the cell. [3]

1. Cellulose is a macromolecule found outside the cell as part of the cell wall and therefore
easier to simply deposit it there.
2. Cellulose molecule may be too large to pass through cell membrane if it has to be transported
to the exterior of the cell.
3. Cellulose is insoluble in the hydrophobic core of the phospholipid, and is hence synthesized
at the cell surface membrane and transported out of the cell
[Total : 10]

Essay Questions
Question 6 N09/P2/Q6 (H1 8875)
(a) Describe the structure of glycogen.[5]
• Made up of α-glucose* monomers forming branched* polymers.
• α-glucose monomers are linked by α(1-4) glycosidic * bonds within a branch and α(1-6) glycosidic *
bonds at the branch points.
• Each glycogen molecule is coiled into a helix* as each residue is bent in one direction with respect to
the previous residue.
• Structure is very similar to that of amylopectin, except that it is even more extensively branched*.

(b) Explain how the structure of cellulose is suited to its function. [6]
Molecular structure Structural function
5. Enzymes* that hydrolyse* these bonds are
4. β glucose* monomers are linked by β (1-4)
rarely* found in nature and therefore likely to
glycosidic bonds*
remain intact and are thus suitable as
structural molecules
6. Alternate glucose residues* inverted 180°*
with respect to one another allowing straight
9. Straight chains* allow packing of cellulose
chains* to be formed with;
molecules into bundles of microfibrils* with
7. Hydroxyl groups* projecting out in either
high tensile strength* that make up to cell
direction;
wall
8. Hydrogen bonding* between adjacent chains
form microfibrils.
7. It is a large molecule* with relatively fewer 8. Cellulose is insoluble in water making it
hydroxyl groups* are available for hydrogen suitable as a structural molecule in cell wall.
bonding with water* as many of hydroxyl
groups are involved in forming hydrogen bonds
with OH groups projecting from parallel*
cellulose chains.
Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 5
 Raffles Institution Tutorial (Answers) 2021

Last updated by: Mrs M Tan & Mrs YT Yeo 6