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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the structural difference between glycogen and starch?
A
Glycogen is a linear polymer, while starch is highly branched.
B
Glycogen is found in plants, while starch is found in animals.
C
Glycogen is composed of glucose units, while starch is composed of fructose units.
D
Glycogen is highly branched, while starch consists of both linear and branched components.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the basic structure of glycogen and starch. Glycogen and starch are both polysaccharides composed of glucose units, but they differ in their branching patterns.
Glycogen is a highly branched polymer. It consists of glucose units linked primarily by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds, with branches formed by α(1→6) glycosidic bonds. This extensive branching allows for rapid release of glucose when needed.
Starch is composed of two types of molecules: amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a linear polymer of glucose units linked by α(1→4) glycosidic bonds, while amylopectin is branched, similar to glycogen, but with less frequent branching.
Compare the branching patterns: Glycogen has more frequent branching than amylopectin, making it more compact and allowing for quicker mobilization of glucose. Starch, with its combination of amylose and amylopectin, has both linear and branched components.
Conclude that the correct statement is: Glycogen is highly branched, while starch consists of both linear (amylose) and branched (amylopectin) components.