Q. Carbohydrates are commonly found as starch in plant storage organs. Which of the following five properties of starch (a - e) make it useful as a storage material? a. Easily translocated b. Chemically non-reactive c. Easily digested by animals d. Osmotically inactive e. Synthesized during photosynthesis The useful properties are
A) Both a & e
B) Both b & c
C) Both b & d
D) a, c & e
Explanation
[Solution from source] Starch is a large, insoluble polymer, so it is chemically unreactive and exerts no osmotic effect, letting cells store a lot of it without drawing in water. It is not easily translocated (sugars like sucrose are), and being digestible by animals is irrelevant to the plant's storage needs. Answer (3).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.