What is the main difference between starch and cellulose? A.starch is a linear a

Question

What is the main difference between starch and cellulose?

A.starch is a linear arrangement of sucrose units and cellulose is a linear arrangement of glucose units.

B.starch is a linear arrangement of glucose units with alpha linkages and cellulose is a linear arrangement of glucose units with beta linkages.

C.starch is a linear arrangement of fructose units and cellulose is a branched arrangement of fructose units.

D.starch is a linear arrangement of glucose units and cellulose is a branched arrangement of glucose units.

Explanation / Answer

In cellulose the glucose units are linked entirely by beta glycosidic linkage through the 1,4 positions. Cellulose has molecular weights of 1 to 2 million (6000 to 12000 C6 units). Like starch, it yields only glucose on hydrolysis. Most starches are composed of two fractions: amylose and amylopectin in ratios of 1:4 to 1:5. The glucose units in starch are joined by alpha glycosidic linkages in the 1,4 position. The two starch fractions differ markedly in molecular weight. Amylose has m.w. values of 17,000 to 225,000 while amylopectin has m.w. values of 1 to 6 million. While amylose is essentially linear, amylopectin is highly branched, with the branches being joined to other branches by 1,6 alpha linkages.

option B is correct starch is a linear arrangement of glucose units with alpha linkages and cellulose is a linear arrangement of glucose units with beta linkages.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

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