Polysaccharide
Easychemistry
Cellulose differs from starch chiefly by:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Glycosidic linkage β(1→4) vs α(1→4/1→6)
- Similarity: Both Starch and Cellulose are high-molecular-weight polymers of D-Glucose.
- Linkages in Starch: Consists of Amylose (α-D-glycosidic linkage at 1→4) and Amylopectin (branched with 1→6). It is digestible by humans.
- Linkage in Cellulose: Consists of straight chains held together by β-D-glycosidic linkage between C−1 of one glucose and C−4 of the next.
- Physical Effect: The β-linkage allows glucose chains to remain linear and form bundles via hydrogen bonding, providing structural rigidity to plants.
- Result: The primary difference is the geometry of the glycosidic linkage.
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- biomolecules
- Topic
- polysaccharide
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Glycosidic linkage β(1→4) vs α(1→4/1→6)
- Similarity: Both Starch and Cellulose are high-molecular-weight polymers of D-Glucose.
- Linkages in Starch: Consists of Amylose (α-D-glycosidic linkage at 1→4) and Amylopectin (branched with 1→6). It is digestible by humans.
- Linkage in Cellulose: Consists of straight chains held together by β-D-glycosidic linkage between C−1 of one glucose and C−4 of the next.
- Physical Effect: The β-linkage allows glucose chains to remain linear and form bundles via hydrogen bonding, providing structural rigidity to plants.
- Result: The primary difference is the geometry of the glycosidic linkage.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter biomolecules, covering the topic of polysaccharide. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse biomolecules questions on RankGuru.