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BIO NMDCAT Carbohydrates
nmdcat.online June 27, 2026

The structural rigidity of cellulose is a direct result of its β-1,4 linkages, which create straight, flat chains. The α-1,4 linkages in starch, by contrast, create a helical structure because the α-linkage introduces a kink that prevents the chain from adopting a fully extended conformation. This helical structure of amylose is the structural basis for its ability to

A. Form a strong gel upon cooling
B. Form a blue-black complex with iodine
✓
C. Be digested by human enzymes
D. Be stored in the liver

📝 Explanation

The internal cavity of the amylose helix is hydrophobic and of a specific diameter that perfectly accommodates a linear chain of polyiodide ions (I₃⁻ or I₅⁻). This precise structural complementarity is the molecular basis for the specific and sensitive iodine-starch color reaction.

📖 Additional Information

  • Form a strong gel upon cooling
  • Form a blue-black complex with iodine
  • Be digested by human enzymes
  • Be stored in the liver

The internal cavity of the amylose helix is hydrophobic and of a specific diameter that perfectly accommodates a linear chain of polyiodide ions (I₃⁻ or I₅⁻). This precise structural complementarity is the molecular basis for the specific and sensitive iodine-starch color reaction.

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