One of the main functions of chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan, is to act

Question

One of the main functions of chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan, is to act as a lubricant in skeletal joints by creating a gel-like medium that is resilient to friction and shock. This function is attributed to a distinctive property of chondroitin sulfate, where the volume occupied by the molecule is much greater in solution than in the dehydrated solid Select the statements that describe the characteristics of glycosaminogylcans that allow chondroitin sulfate to occupy a much larger volume in solution Chondroitin sulfate consists of several thousand repeats of the dissacharide subnits that trap a large number of water molecules. This increases the molecular volume of the molecule The highly branched structure of chondroitin sulfate allows it to interact with numerous water molecules, thus increasing its molecular volume Due to the highly polar nature of chondroitin sulfate, it is heavily hydrated in solution. This increases the molecular volume of the molecule Chondroitin sulfate has a high density of negative charges. To ensure adequate separation of negatively charged groups, chondroitin sulfate adopts an extended rod-like structure that increases its molecular volume in solution In solution, chondroitin sulfate molecules form double helices that associate with one another and trap a large number of water molecules. This increases the molecular volume of the molecule

Explanation / Answer

The correct statements are

1) due to highly polar nature of chondroitin sulfate it is heavily hydrated is solution. this increases the molecular volume of solution.

2) Chondroitin sulfate has a high density of negative charges. To ensure adequate separation of negatively charged groups, chondroitin sulfate adopts an extended rod-like structure that increases its molecular volume in solution

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse O
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.