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Multiple Choice
Which of the following do starch and cellulose have in common?
A
Both serve as structural components in animals.
B
Both are digestible by humans.
C
Both are polymers of glucose.
D
Both have $eta$-1,4-glycosidic linkages.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the question: The problem is asking for a common characteristic between starch and cellulose, focusing on their chemical structure and biological roles.
Recall the definition of polymers: Both starch and cellulose are polymers, meaning they are composed of repeating units of glucose molecules linked together by glycosidic bonds.
Examine the glycosidic linkages: Starch primarily has α-1,4-glycosidic linkages, while cellulose has β-1,4-glycosidic linkages. This difference affects their digestibility and structural roles.
Analyze digestibility: Humans can digest starch because we have enzymes (amylase) that break α-1,4-glycosidic linkages. However, we lack enzymes to break β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in cellulose, making it indigestible for humans.
Conclude the commonality: Both starch and cellulose are polymers of glucose, which is the correct answer. They differ in their glycosidic linkages and biological functions, but their shared characteristic is their composition as glucose polymers.