Cellulose and starch are identical polymers that have the same repeat units dependent on glucose and are composed of the same glucose and monomer. There is one major difference between Starch and Cellulose. For starch, glucose repeat units are located in the same direction, and each successive glucose unit is rotated 180 degrees in cellulose.
Cellulose is thicker than sugar, which is water-insoluble. On the other hand, the Starch is less weak than cellulose and can be dissolved in warm water. Cellulose is not suitable for human consumption because mammals will eat starch. Many of the cellulose applications are in rayon substitute, cellophane, etc. Throughout the paper industry as well as in the manufacture of cloths such as linen and cotton, it is used commercially as the main ingredient.
| Properties | Starch | Cellulose |
| Alpha/Beta | 2 types of alpha glucose | 1 type of beta glucose |
| Connection | By alpha linkage | By beta linkage |
| Digestion | Easily digested | Difficult to digest |
| Solubility | Dissolves in warm water | Does not dissolve in water |
| Strength | Weaker than cellulose | Strong |
| Crystalline | Less crystalline | More crystalline than starch |
| Consumption | Can be consumed by humans | Cannot be consumed by humans |
| Linkage | Starch has alpha 1,4 linkage | Cellulose has beta 1,4 linkage |
| Uses | Plants use starch to store energy | Plants use cellulose to support structure |
These were some important differences between Starch and Cellulose. To know more about the structure and uses of cellulose and Starch register to BYJU’S.
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Natural Polymers
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In this worksheet, we will practice describing the structure of different carbohydrates and outlining the roles of carbohydrates in organisms.
Q1:
What type of reaction occurs when two or more monosaccharides join together?
- AReduction
- BSubstitution
- CCondensation
- DHydrolysis
- EOxidation
Q2:
What type of bond is formed between two monosaccharides when they join together to form a disaccharide?
- APeptide
- BPhosphodiester
- CGlycosidic
- DEster
- EHydrogen
Q3:
Which of the following best describes the relationship between monosaccharides and polysaccharides?
- AMonosaccharides can be broken down to form polysaccharides.
- BMonosaccharides can be joined together by bonds called polysaccharides.
- CPolysaccharides have complementary binding sites to monosaccharides.
- DMany monosaccharides can join together to form a polysaccharide.
Q4:
The following is a list of carbohydrates:
- Alpha-glucose
- Beta-glucose
- Lactose
- Fructose
- Sucrose
For the following statements, state the carbohydrate from the list that is being described.
Cellulose is formed from many repeats of this carbohydrate.
- ABeta-glucose
- BLactose
- CAlpha-glucose
- DSucrose
Starch is formed from many repeats of this carbohydrate.
- AAlpha-glucose
- BFructose
- CLactose
- DBeta-glucose
Q5:
The following is a list of carbohydrates:
- Alpha-glucose
- Beta-glucose
- Lactose
- Cellulose
- Starch
- Glycogen
For the following statements, state the carbohydrate from the list that is being described.
This carbohydrate is the primary component of plant cell walls.
- ABeta-glucose
- BGlycogen
- CCellulose
- DAlpha-glucose
This carbohydrate acts as a sugar-storage component in animal cells.
- AGlycogen
- BAlpha-glucose
- CBeta-glucose
- DStarch
Q6:
Glucose can be stored as the polysaccharide starch in plant cells. What polysaccharide acts as the primary unit of glucose storage in animal cells?
- AChitin
- BAlpha-glucose
- CGlucagon
- DCellulose
- EGlycogen
Q7:
Which of the following is not an example of a polysaccharide?
- AStarch
- BCellulose
- CGlycogen
- DGalactose
Q8:
Give the molecular formula of the molecule that is removed when two monosaccharides join together.
- ACO2
- BHO2
- CC
- DH2
- EO 2
Q9:
Which of the following is not a primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
- ALarger, complex carbohydrates can be broken down into fatty acids that can help make hormones.
- BCarbohydrates act as storage molecules to help regulate blood glucose concentration.
- CSimple carbohydrates can be used to build larger, more complex carbohydrates that can be used as cell components.
- DCarbohydrates provide substrates that can be broken down in cellular respiration to release energy.
Q10:
Which of the following is an example of a monosaccharide?
- ALactose
- BSucrose
- CGlucose
- DMaltose
This lesson includes 37 additional questions and 5 additional question variations for subscribers.