Biopolymers polysaccharides

Forensic biologists make extensive use of starch gels to perform electrophoretic separations. Explain how starch forms a gel matrix. 

Answer The helical structure affords the opportunity for strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds to form with water within the heUx, causing it to swell and form a semirigid structure. When a starch gel dries, it forms a flimsy, thin film. 

Cellulose is closely related to other biopolymers foimd in wood and plants. Together, these compounds are the raw materials used in a number of products encountered in forensic chemistry. For example, paper is made from wood chips derived from soft or hard woods, plants, or recycled paper stocks. Of interest in paper production are the polysaccharides found in wood— lignin, hemicellu-lose, and cellulose, all classified as part of the lignocellulose complex found in biomass such as wood. The lignocellulose compounds impart strength and 

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Leathers TD (2002) Dextran. In Vandamme EJ, DeBaets S, Steinbiichel A (eds) Biopolymers polysaccharides 1, polysaccharides from prokaryotes. Wiley, Weinheim, p 300... 

Interest in the polymerization of bicyclic compounds stems from possibilities offered in synthetic polymer chemistry by this group of monomers. Thus, polymerization of anhydro sugars, i.e. substituted bicyclic acetals, leads to synthetic biopolymers-polysaccharides or their analogs. Polymerization of certain bicyclic monomers provides systems expanding on conversion from monomer into polymer. 

In previous chapters, we studied two of the three major kinds of biopolymers—polysaccharides and proteins. Now we will look at the third—nucleic acids. There are two types of nucleic acids—deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)... 

Of the natural biopolymers, polysaccharides seem to be the most promising materials for various biomedical fields. They can be obtained from various sources, including animals, plants, algae and microorganisms. Chitosan (CHT) is the most commonly used polysaccharide, due to its chemical structure [1-12]. 

Peter, M.G. 2002. Chitin and chitosan from animal sources. In De Baets, S., Vandanune, E.J., and Steinbuchel, A. (eds.), Biopolymers Polysaccharides II. Weinheim, Germany Wiley-VCH. 

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