Spare carbohydrate of plants, its role in the process of life

One of the protective mechanisms of plants and animals from adverse conditions was the accumulation of reserve nutrients. Very effective mechanism in times of insufficient intake of nutrients from outside.

Organic life on our planet has a carbon base, which predetermined the "chemistry" of the organic world.

"Chemistry" of plants

The evolution of these organisms has identified a number of vital types of substances, such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Each of them has its own role.

Proteins (peptides, polypeptides) in plant cells form quite complex complexes, one of them is photosynthetic.

Along with this, it is the protein that is the carrier of information in cell division.

Fats, or triglycerides - are natural compounds of glycerol and monobasic fatty acids. The role of fats in plant cells is determined by the structural and energy function.
Carbohydrates (sugars, saccharides) contain carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. The main role of substances is energy. Isolate a large number of different carbohydrates, both soluble and insoluble in water. In turn, the chemical characteristics of each carbohydrate determine its main role.

Starch is the main reserve carbohydrate of plants

Insoluble carbohydrates play the role of the energy reserve of the plant. The main reserve substance - carbohydrate of plants - is starch. Due to its insolubility in water, it can be stored in the cell without disturbing the osmotic and chemical balance.

If necessary, the reserve plant carbohydrate - starch - undergoes hydrolysis with the formation of soluble sugars (glucose) and water. The resulting compound is readily available and is degraded by enzymes to carbon dioxide and water, releasing the necessary energy.

Spare carbohydrate in plant cells

There are a number of other carbohydrates that act as energy storage. The non-basic reserve substance - carbohydrate of plants - is inulin. It moves through the plant cells in a soluble form. The greatest amount of this compound was found in plants such as dahlia, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic and elecampane. As a rule, the maximum amount is contained in tubers and plant roots.

In the process of hydrolysis or fermentation, the auxiliary carbohydrate of plants completely decomposes into fructose. Included in the composition of sucrose, is a simple saccharide.

The main reserve carbohydrate in plants is starch. However, there are other carbohydrates, except inulin, which plays the role of energy storage. They include most of the sugar-like substances. For example, in the roots of beets laid disaccharide - sucrose (we are known as sugar). In most fruits and vegetables, a spare plant carbohydrate is stored in the form of sucrose and fructose. Sweet taste is a sign of the presence of data of mono- or disaccharide.

Other energy storage plants

As a reserve nutrient may act hemicellulose. Has a high similarity with fiber. It is insoluble in water. Under the action of weak acids, it is split into simple monosaccharides. It is deposited in the shells of the grains of many cereals. The hardness of hemicellulose is very high, sometimes called "vegetable ivory". Used for making buttons and in pharmaceuticals. In the process of germination, the seeds are hydrolyzed by enzymes into soluble sugars and consumed by the food of the embryo.

Presence of spare carbohydrates is a condition of survival

The process of formation and interconversion of carbohydrates in plant cells is an integral part of the complex process of metabolism within the plant cell. Carbohydrates, which can play the role of energy storage, provide protection from adverse conditions. During the germination of seeds and tubers provide the necessary nutrients during the initial phase of plant development.

A cell of a plant organism is a unique system. The number of working "mechanisms" in it is comparable to one million cars. This is a truly complex system, like a whole plant in miniature. The genius and accuracy of nature in all its manifestations deserves great admiration.