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Multiple Choice
Which of the following polysaccharides contains $\alpha$-glycosidic linkages?
A
Cellulose
B
Starch
C
Hyaluronic acid
D
Chitin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are long chains of monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. The type of glycosidic bond (α or β) determines the structural and functional properties of the polysaccharide.
Review the glycosidic linkages: α-glycosidic linkages occur when the hydroxyl group on the anomeric carbon of a monosaccharide is oriented downward (axial position) in the cyclic form. β-glycosidic linkages occur when the hydroxyl group is oriented upward (equatorial position).
Analyze the structure of cellulose: Cellulose is composed of β-D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. This makes cellulose a polysaccharide with β-glycosidic linkages, not α-glycosidic linkages.
Examine the structure of starch: Starch is composed of two components, amylose and amylopectin, both of which contain α-D-glucose units linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds (amylose) and α-1,6-glycosidic bonds (amylopectin). Therefore, starch contains α-glycosidic linkages.
Evaluate hyaluronic acid and chitin: Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan composed of repeating disaccharide units with β-glycosidic linkages. Chitin is composed of N-acetylglucosamine units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Neither contains α-glycosidic linkages.