1. Both cellulose and starch are natural polymers derived from glucose, but poss

Question

1. Both cellulose and starch are natural polymers derived from glucose, but possess significantly different properties. Explain these differences on a molecular level. (2 points)

3. The reaction in question 2 produces a mixture of 2 diastereomers having different stereochemistry on the acetal carbon. The ratio of this mixture does not depend on the starting material. The b-Dglucose, represented below, gives an identical ratio of products. Explain these observations. (2 points)

4. What chemical reaction serves as a basis for visualization of TLCs with methanoic sulphuric acid? (1 point)

6. Benedict’s test for reducing sugars is known to give false positives in food samples. Explain with two examples. (2 points)

Explanation / Answer

Cellulose and starch are polymers of glucose units. In starch all glucose units are in same direction (alpha 1, 4 linkage), while in cellulose glucose units coonect by glycoside linkage (beta 1, 4 linkage). Amylase can break starch molecule, while cellulase can break cellulose molecule. Our body contains enzymes that can break starch but not celluoce, hence starch can be consumed by humans. Cellulose is stronger than starch and hence used to make clothes, ropes, wood.

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