Which complex carbohydrate contains only a-1,4-glycosidic linkages?

General
1

which complex carbohydrate contains only a-1,4-glycosidic linkages?

2

Which complex carbohydrate contains only α-1,4-glycosidic linkages?

Answer:

The complex carbohydrate that contains only α-1,4-glycosidic linkages is amylose. Amylose is a form of starch and is composed solely of glucose units linked by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds.

Explanation:

  1. Structure of Amylose:

    • Amylose is a linear polymer made up of D-glucose units. The glucose units are linked together through α-1,4-glycosidic bonds, leading to a helical structure.

  2. Properties of Amylose:

    • Due to its linear structure, amylose tends to be less soluble in water compared to amylopectin, the branched form of starch.
    • It generally makes up about 20-30% of starch content in plants.

  3. Function in Plants:

    • Amylose acts as an energy reserve in plants and is stored in plastids such as chloroplasts and amyloplasts.

  4. Importance in Diet:

    • As a component of starch, amylose is an important part of human nutrition. It is digested more slowly than amylopectin, affecting the glycemic index of foods.

In summary, amylose is the complex carbohydrate that consists only of α-1,4-glycosidic linkages, making it distinct from other polysaccharides like amylopectin, which also contains α-1,6 linkages.