Laminarin
Encyclopedia
The molecule laminarin (also known as laminaran) is a storage glucan
(a polysaccharide
of glucose
) found in brown algae
. It is used as a carbohydrate food reserve in the same way that chrysolaminarin
is used by phytoplankton
. It is created by photosynthesis
and is made up of β(1→3)-glucan with β(1→6)-linkages. It is a linear polysaccharide, with a β(1→3):β(1→6) ratio of 3:1.
Glucan
A glucan molecule is a polysaccharide of D-glucose monomers linked by glycosidic bonds.Many beta-glucans are medically important.-Types:The following are glucans:-Alpha:...
(a polysaccharide
Polysaccharide
Polysaccharides are long carbohydrate molecules, of repeated monomer units joined together by glycosidic bonds. They range in structure from linear to highly branched. Polysaccharides are often quite heterogeneous, containing slight modifications of the repeating unit. Depending on the structure,...
of glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
) found in brown algae
Brown algae
The Phaeophyceae or brown algae , is a large group of mostly marine multicellular algae, including many seaweeds of colder Northern Hemisphere waters. They play an important role in marine environments, both as food and for the habitats they form...
. It is used as a carbohydrate food reserve in the same way that chrysolaminarin
Chrysolaminarin
Chrysolaminarin is a linear polymer of β and β linked glucose units in a ratio of 11:1. It used to be known as leucosin. Chrysolaminarin is arguably one of the most common biopolymers in the world with cellulose being the other.-Function:...
is used by phytoplankton
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of the plankton community. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν , meaning "plant", and πλαγκτός , meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye...
. It is created by photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a chemical process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in archaea. Photosynthetic organisms are called photoautotrophs, since they can...
and is made up of β(1→3)-glucan with β(1→6)-linkages. It is a linear polysaccharide, with a β(1→3):β(1→6) ratio of 3:1.