Cellulose and starch are both glucose polymers, yet only starch is digestible by humans. Why?
- A
The ester linkages in cellulose resist mammalian digestion
- B
The α-1,4 glycosidic bonds in cellulose are too short
- C
The β-1,6 glycosidic bonds in starch resist intestinal enzymes
- Dcheck_circle
The β-1,4 glycosidic bonds in cellulose resist mammalian enzymes
Explanation
Mammalian digestive enzymes hydrolyze α-1,4 (starch) but not β-1,4 (cellulose) glycosidic bonds.