Chapter 21.2, Problem 3RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Starch and cellulose are similar, but the reason due to which humans cannot digest cellulose needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Carbohydrates are naturally occurring organic compounds. Carbohydrate contains functional groups as aldehydes or ketones and also several hydroxyl groups. Carbohydrate is formed by plants with the help of the photosynthesis process. They are the storage of energy.

Starch and cellulose are examples of polysaccharides. They form when more than 10 molecules of monosaccharides are hydrolysis.

Answer to Problem 3RQ

Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides. They are made up of a similar monomer, glucose.

Cellulose cannot digest in the human body due to the lack of the enzyme.

Explanation of Solution

Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides, both having the same monomer but different linkage.

Polysaccharides contain more than 10 monosaccharide units and can be hundreds of sugar units in length.

In cellulose, an acetal linkage is present which the human digestive system cannot breakdown.

Conclusion

Starch and cellulose are two very similar polymers. They are made from the same monomer, named glucose, and have the same glucose-based repeat units. But with the difference of linkage, the cellulose cannot digest by the human body.