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Biology Simulations
Biological molecules

Polysaccharide structure simulation

How do glucose bonds and branching change what polysaccharides can do?

Compare starch, glycogen and cellulose structures. Explore how glucose linkages and branching affect enzyme access in a qualitative model.

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Explore at your own pace. Pause, look closer, play again.

Illustrated branching glycogen model with highlighted non-reducing ends.
Polysaccharide structure simulationView from the simulation

Look closer.

  1. Compare α(1→4), α(1→6) and β(1→4) linkages in glucose polymers.
  2. Examine coils, branching and cellulose microfibrils.
  3. Change enzyme number in a qualitative initial-release model with 96 glucose units per sample.