LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -One of the best known polysaccharides is starch, the main form of energy storage in plants. Starch is a staple in most human diets. Foods such as corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat have high starch contents. Starch is made of glucose monomers and occurs in both straight-chain and branched forms.

Detailed explanation-2: -Polysaccharides are generally used for two purposes-either for energy storage or to give cells structure and protection. Polysaccharides that are made up entirely of a single type of monosaccharide are called monopolymers. Three common types of monopolymers are glycogen, starch and cellulose.

Detailed explanation-3: -The second group is the cell wall polysaccharides, which are derived in our diet mainly from plants, but also from fungi and algae (either directly or added as ingredients). Starch is the major storage carbohydrate in plants, and the major source of calories in many plant organs and foods.

Detailed explanation-4: -Polysaccharides generally perform one of two functions: energy storage or structural support. Starch and glycogen are highly compact polymers that are used for energy storage. Cellulose and chitin are linear polymers that are used for structural support in plants and animals, respectively.

Detailed explanation-5: -Starch is an insoluble, non-structural carbohydrate composed of -glucose polymers. It is synthesized by plants and algae to store energy in a dense, osmotically inert form.