Page 151 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry
P. 151
Okay, the graph makes perfect sense, but what does that actually mean?
Just hang on, it should become clear in a second.
So...amylose and amylopectin are both made up of glucose molecules connected
together to form polysaccharides.
Glucose Glucose
Amylose structure Amylopectin structure
In other words, they’re both made up of the same raw materials!
That’s right. The only real difference is the way that their glucose molecules are
connected together.
So the “mystery of springy mochi” is actually the “mystery of monosaccharides
connecting in different ways to form polysaccharides and oligosaccharides.” I guess
the name’s not quite as catchy, but it’s still a very interesting subject.
Aha! So the secret of mochi’s springiness is hidden in how the glucose connects
together!
Biochemistry in Our Everyday Lives 137
