Information for Questions 16-18 (7 points) Hyaluronic acid i…
Information for Questions 16-18 (7 points) Hyaluronic acid is an example of a glycosaminoglycan and functions as the major component of synovial fluid (it lubricates the joints) and the vitreous humor of the eye. It is also available as a dietary supplement, skincare product, and can be used to treat osteoarthritis as an injectable. Image Description Hyaluronic acid is a long glycosaminoglycan composed of repeating disaccharide units. Both sugars in the disaccharide dimer are modified glucose units. The first (leftmost) glucose in each disaccharide dimer has, attached to carbon 5, a carboxyl group in place of the typical hydroxymethyl group. The second (rightmost) glucose in each disaccharide dimer has, attached to carbon 2, an NH group followed by an acetyl. The two glucose units within each disaccharide are attached to each other via a glycosidic linkage that, on the first (left) glucose, connects to carbon 1 in the up position, and on the second (right) glucose, connects to carbon 3 in the up position. Two different disaccharide units attach to each other in sequence via a glycosidic linkage that, on the second (right) glucose of one disaccharide unit, connects to carbon 1 in the up position, and on the first (left) glucose of the next disaccharide unit, connects to carbon 4 in the down position.