Compare & contrast cellulose and starch (key words / key points)

Points of comparison
Monomer
Bond between
monomers
Orientation of monomer
Structure of each
molecule
Bonds between
molecules
Branching
Function

Cellulose
-glucose
(1-4) glycosidic bond
Alternate glucose units inverted/rotated 180
w.r.t. each other
Long, straight
OH groups
Intermolecular/interchain hydrogen bonding
Leading to microfibril formation
None
Support/high tensile strength for cell wall of
plants

Starch
-glucose
(1-4) glycosidic bond
(Amylopectin: (1-6) glycosidic bond)
All glucose in the same orientation

Glycogen
-glucose
(1-4) glycosidic bond
(1-6) glycosidic bond
All glucose in the same orientation

Amylose: spiral/helical, coiled

Amylopectin: coiled branched
No interchain hydrogen bonding

Coiled branched
INTRAmolecular hydrogen-bonding

Amylopectin: branching at intervals of about

20-30 glucose units
Energy storage

Reason

Solubility

Long straight chains with OH groups

Long, helical - compact, pack many glucose units per unit volume
projecting outwards hydrogen
Hydrolysis glucose oxidized to produce energy
crosslinking/bonding microfibril
Branching more ends for amylase to act on increase energy generation per unit
Extra:
time
Few enzymes recognize and hydrolyse
(1-4) glycosidic bonds
Insoluble - maintain integrity in aq
environment
Insoluble
- macromolecules
- relatively fewer hydroxyl groups available for hydrogen bonding with water
OH groups:
1. taken up in formation of glycosidic bonds
2. involved in intermolecular cross linkages(cellulose)
3. inaccessible to water due to their location