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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the main structural difference between amylose and amylopectin?
A
Amylose contains both $eta$-1,4 and $eta$-1,6 glycosidic bonds, while amylopectin contains only $eta$-1,4 bonds.
B
Amylose is composed of fructose units, while amylopectin is composed of glucose units.
C
Amylose is a linear polymer of glucose, while amylopectin is a branched polymer of glucose.
D
Amylose is found only in animals, while amylopectin is found only in plants.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by identifying the key structural components of amylose and amylopectin. Both are polysaccharides composed of glucose units, but their structural organization differs.
Step 2: Amylose is a linear polymer of glucose. It consists of glucose molecules linked exclusively by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds, forming an unbranched chain.
Step 3: Amylopectin, on the other hand, is a branched polymer of glucose. It contains both α-1,4 glycosidic bonds for the linear portions and α-1,6 glycosidic bonds at the branch points.
Step 4: Compare the branching patterns: Amylose is linear, while amylopectin has a branched structure due to the presence of α-1,6 glycosidic bonds.
Step 5: Conclude that the main structural difference between amylose and amylopectin is that amylose is a linear polymer of glucose, while amylopectin is a branched polymer of glucose.