Question

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

The useful properties are:

• A. (a) and (e)
• B. (b) and (c)
• C. (b) and (d)
• D. (a), (c) and (e)

Answer 1

The correct option is C (b) and (d)

Glucose is synthesised during photosynthesis and translocated as sucrose to various plant parts and stored as starch.

Starch is ideal for storage as it is chemically non-reactive when compared to monosaccharides and osmotically inactive and hence does not alter the water potential of cell sap.