Question

Starch and cellulose are two polysaccharides formed from glucose monomers with glycosidic linkages. Most animals can use starch for energy, but cannot digest cellulose. Which of the following statements best describes how the molecular structure of cellulose inhibits its digestion by animals?

A) The location of the disulfide bridges in cellulose create a linear structure where enzymes cannot catalyze decomposition.
B) The modified glucose units of cellulose have a nitrogen-containing functional group that inhibits decomposition.
C) Cellulose is made of glucose monomers in α form that animal enzymes cannot hydrolyze.
D) Cellulose is made of glucose monomers with β linkages that animal enzymes cannot hydrolyze.

Answer 1

The answer is D

Step-by-step explanation:

Taking the unit test

Answer 2

D) Cellulose is made of glucose monomers with β linkages that animal enzymes cannot hydrolyze.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cellulose is a linear carbohydrate polymer containing series of chains of monomeric units called Glucose, which are linked together by β-1,4- glycosidic linkages. As stated in the question, cellulose cannot be broken down by most animals unlike its other carbohydrate counterpart, Starch.

The structure of cellulose is responsible for the inability to hydrolyse it; most animals lack the enzymes that can break down the β linkages that holds its monomers together.