Function
Glycogen is a branching polymer of large numbers of glucose units linked together. The structure is based on chains of glucose units with α(1→4) glycosidic bonds between carbon atoms 1 and 4 of each pair of units. These linkages are catalyzed by the enzyme glycogen synthase.
Every 10 to 14 glucose units, a side branch with an additional chain of glucose units occurs. The side chain attaches at carbon atom 6 of a glucose unit, and the linkage is termed an α(1→6) glycosidic bond. This connection is catalyzed by a branching enzyme. A branching enzyme attaches a string of seven glucose units to the sixth carbon of a glucose unit, usually in an interior location of the glycogen molecule.
Read more about this topic: Glycogen Branching Enzyme
Famous quotes containing the word function:
“For me being a poet is a job rather than an activity. I feel I have a function in society, neither more nor less meaningful than any other simple job. I feel it is part of my work to make poetry more accessible to people who have had their rights withdrawn from them.”
—Jeni Couzyn (b. 1942)
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—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951)
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—Robert H. [Houghwout] Jackson (1892–1954)