easy · 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 units, while cellulose is composed of L-glucose units
- Cellulose contains nitrogen-based functional groups not found in starch
- Cellulose is a highly branched polysaccharide, which prevents enzymes from accessing its main chain
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