Starch

• Where is starch found?

  In many parts of plants as small grains, especially in seeds and storage organs.
• What is starch made out of ?

  Repeating alpha glucose molecules.
• What are the 2 types of polysaccharides that can be found in starch granules.

  Amylose and amylopectin
• What is the main d between amylose and amylopectin?


  Amylose is a straight chain polymer whereas amylopectin is a branched chain polymer.
• Describe the structure of amylose.


  Unbranched chain of glucose molecules joined by 1, 4 glycosidic bonds, and as a result amylose is coiled and thus a very compact molecule storing a lot of energy.
• Describe the structure of amylopectin

  Amylopectin is branched and is made up of glucose molecules joined by 1, 4 and 1, 6 glycosidic bonds. Due to the presence of many side branches these can be acted upon simultaneously by many enzymes and thus broken down to release its energy.
• How is starch suited for its function?

  Insoluble- it doesn’t affect osmosis. Large- doesn‘t diffuse out of cells. Compact- a lot can be stored in a small space. Braches- It has large surface area for enzymes to hydroylse into α-glucose -( used in respiration)