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Multiple Choice
Which structural feature distinguishes cellulose from glycogen and starch?
A
Cellulose is highly branched, whereas glycogen and starch are unbranched.
B
Cellulose is soluble in water, while glycogen and starch are insoluble.
C
Cellulose is composed of fructose units, while glycogen and starch are composed of glucose units.
D
Cellulose contains β(1→4) glycosidic bonds, while glycogen and starch contain α(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structural differences between cellulose, glycogen, and starch. These are all polysaccharides, but their structural features and glycosidic linkages differ significantly.
Step 2: Recall that cellulose is composed of glucose units linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds. This β configuration results in a linear, rigid structure that forms strong hydrogen bonds between chains, making cellulose suitable for structural purposes in plants.
Step 3: Contrast this with glycogen and starch, which are composed of glucose units linked by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds. The α configuration allows these polysaccharides to adopt a helical structure, making them more compact and suitable for energy storage.
Step 4: Note that glycogen is highly branched due to additional α(1→6) glycosidic bonds, while starch exists in two forms: amylose (unbranched) and amylopectin (branched). These branching patterns further distinguish glycogen and starch from cellulose.
Step 5: Conclude that the key structural feature distinguishing cellulose from glycogen and starch is the type of glycosidic bond: β(1→4) in cellulose versus α(1→4) in glycogen and starch. This difference in glycosidic bond configuration leads to their distinct physical properties and biological roles.