Carbohydrates
Cellulose differs from starch in that cellulose contains:
Select the correct option:
Solution
β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between glucose units
Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide made of D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. This linkage causes the glucose residues to alternate orientation, allowing extended straight chains that form strong hydrogen bonds between adjacent strands — giving cellulose its rigid, fibrous structure (plant cell walls). Starch (amylose) uses α-1,4-glycosidic bonds, producing a helical coiled structure. Glycogen and amylopectin additionally have α-1,6-glycosidic bonds at branch points. Humans cannot digest cellulose because we lack the enzyme cellulase (β-glucosidase).
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- biomolecules
- Topic
- carbohydrates
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
β-1,4-glycosidic linkages between glucose units
Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide made of D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. This linkage causes the glucose residues to alternate orientation, allowing extended straight chains that form strong hydrogen bonds between adjacent strands — giving cellulose its rigid, fibrous structure (plant cell walls). Starch (amylose) uses α-1,4-glycosidic bonds, producing a helical coiled structure. Glycogen and amylopectin additionally have α-1,6-glycosidic bonds at branch points. Humans cannot digest cellulose because we lack the enzyme cellulase (β-glucosidase).
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter biomolecules, covering the topic of carbohydrates. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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