medium · MCAT bio-biochem
Human digestive enzymes are capable of breaking down starch but cannot digest cellulose, despite both being polymers of glucose.
What is the fundamental structural difference that explains this biochemical limitation?
- Starch contains α-1,4-glycosidic bonds, while cellulose contains β-1,4-glycosidic bonds
- Starch is composed of D-glucose, whereas cellulose is composed of L-glucose
- The presence of nitrogen-containing functional groups in cellulose
- Cellulose is highly branched, preventing enzyme access to the main chain
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