Carbohydrates and Glycoconjugates · Zoology

Cellulose differs from starch mainly in:

  1. The type of monosaccharide units used
  2. Glycosidic bond orientation
  3. Degree of branching and chain length
  4. Solubility in water
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Correct answer: Glycosidic bond orientation

Cellulose uses β-1,4 glycosidic bonds between glucose units, whereas starch uses α-1,4 (and α-1,6 for branching) bonds. The β-linkage in cellulose creates straight, rigid chains that pack tightly into fibers, making it indigestible by most animals.

Difficulty: Medium Question 9 of 21

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