Question

Carbohydrates are commonly found as starch in plant storage organs. Which of the following five properties of starch (a-e) make it useful as a storage material?
(a) Easily translocated.
(b) Chemically non-reactive.
(c) Easily digested by animals.
(d) Osmotically inactive.
(e) Synthesized during photosynthesis.
The useful properties are

• A. (B) and (C)
• B. (B) and (D)
• C. (A), (C) and (E)
• D. (A) and (E)

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Starch is a plant storage polysaccharide. It is chemically non-reactive and osmotically inactive polysaccharides of much greater molecular weight. Carbohydrates perform a vital role in living organisms. Starch and other polysaccharides serve as energy storage in plants, particularly in seeds, tubers, etc. which provide a major energy source for animals, including humans.